Trump Administration Threatens Criminal Charges Against Federal Reserve Chair Powell
The Department of Justice has escalated tensions with the Federal Reserve, issuing grand jury subpoenas that threaten criminal charges against Chair Jerome Powell. The MOVE follows Powell's June 2025 Senate testimony, which the DOJ alleges may contain discrepancies. Powell maintains the investigation is politically motivated, aimed at influencing interest rate policy rather than addressing legitimate legal concerns.
President TRUMP has publicly criticized Powell over both monetary policy and the Fed's $2.5 billion headquarters renovation. While Trump denies involvement in the DOJ probe, Republican Senator Thom Tillis has vowed to block all Fed nominations until the matter is resolved. The standoff introduces unprecedented uncertainty into central bank operations at a delicate moment for financial markets.