Justice Department Subpoenas Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell Amid Conflict Over Monetary Independence
The Justice Department has subpoenaed Fed Chair Jerome Powell over building renovation testimony. Powell alleges the move is a pretext for political pressure.
The Department of Justice in the 
US has subpoenaed the Federal Reserve and its Chair, jerome powell, while threatening the central bank leader with criminal charges. The legal action stems from testimony jerome powell provided to a Senate committee regarding a Federal Reserve building renovation projection. jerome powell disclosed the department's move in a video released on Sunday, characterizing the action as a pretext for efforts by donald trump to pressure the central bank into lowering interest rates.
US has subpoenaed the Federal Reserve and its Chair, jerome powell, while threatening the central bank leader with criminal charges. The legal action stems from testimony jerome powell provided to a Senate committee regarding a Federal Reserve building renovation projection. jerome powell disclosed the department's move in a video released on Sunday, characterizing the action as a pretext for efforts by donald trump to pressure the central bank into lowering interest rates.The news, reported on January 16, 2026, comes at a critical juncture for the institution as the term for jerome powell as chair is set to end in May. donald trump is expected to name a replacement to the position soon, an appointment that would be subject to confirmation by the Senate. In response to the subpoena, several Republican members of Congress have threatened to hold up future appointments by donald trump to the Federal Reserve.
