Trump Threatens to Fire Powell Over Fed Renovation Probe Amid Legal and Political Standoff President Donald Trump has vowed to remove Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell from his position if he does not resign by May 15, the date when Powell’s term at the helm of the central bank is set to expire. During an interview with Fox Business’ Maria Bartiromo, Trump reiterated his stance, stating, “Then I’ll have to fire him,” in response to questions about Powell’s continued tenure. The threat comes amid a high-profile criminal investigation into Powell by the Department of Justice (DOJ), which accuses him of lying to Congress about the $2.5 billion renovation of the Fed’s Washington, D.C., headquarters. The DOJ’s probe, led by prosecutors including Jeanine Pirro, has become a focal point of Trump’s repeated criticism of Powell’s leadership. The investigation centers on Powell’s testimony last year, where he defended the renovation project’s cost overruns, which have ballooned to nearly 80% above the original budget. Trump has publicly questioned the project’s management, calling it “incompetent” and demanding accountability for the alleged waste. “I want to know who the contractor is, because that contractor is making billions of dollars, perhaps,” Trump said, suggesting potential corruption. Despite Trump’s nomination of former Fed governor Kevin Warsh to replace Powell in January, the confirmation process has stalled. North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis, a key member of the Senate Banking Committee, has refused to vote for Warsh’s nomination until the DOJ investigation concludes. Tillis’s opposition has delayed the confirmation, leaving Powell in a precarious position. Under Fed regulations, if Warsh is not confirmed by May 15, Powell would remain as chair “pro tempore” until a successor is appointed.#department_of_justice #trump #jerome_powell #fed #maria_bartiromo
FBI Director Kash Patel's Email Compromised, Claims Iran-Linked Hackers; DOJ Says 'Appears Authentic' Federal Bureau of Investigation director Kash Patel's email account has reportedly been accessed by hackers linked to Iran, according to claims made by a pro-Iranian hacking group known as Handala. The Department of Justice has stated that the emails "appear authentic," though it has not confirmed the breach. The incident has raised concerns about cybersecurity vulnerabilities within U.S. government systems. Handala, which has previously been associated with cyberattacks targeting U.S. military and defense contractors, claimed responsibility for the breach. The group alleged that the attack was retaliation for suspected U.S. strikes that it claimed killed Iranian schoolchildren. This follows a series of cyber incidents attributed to Handala, including a recent disruption of operations at Stryker, a defense contractor. The group has also been flagged by U.S. authorities in recent actions, with the Department of Justice seizing four web domains linked to Iranian hacking operations and threats against dissidents. The DOJ's statement highlights the broader context of Iran's cyber activities, identifying Handala as part of a network of proxy groups that operate under Iranian direction. These groups are believed to conduct cyberattacks on behalf of the Iranian government, targeting U.S. interests and dissidents. The breach of Patel's email account underscores the growing threat of state-sponsored hacking and the challenges faced by U.S. agencies in securing sensitive information. The incident has sparked renewed discussions about the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures within federal agencies.#iran #department_of_justice #stryker #handala #fbi_director_kash_patel
Fact Check: Will Tucker Carlson Be Arrested? Explosive CIA Referral Claims & Text Surveillance Sparks Controversy | Explained Tucker Carlson, a prominent conservative commentator, recently claimed that the CIA had drawn a criminal referral against him, potentially leading to charges under the Foreign Agent Registration Act. The allegation centers on his alleged sharing of texts with Iranian officials prior to U.S.-Israeli military actions, which he says could constitute a violation of the law. Despite the controversy, no charges have been filed against him as of early 2026, and legal experts suggest prosecution is unlikely, particularly given his public profile. Carlson’s assertion has sparked widespread debate, with critics questioning the implications of government surveillance and the boundaries of media freedom. The claim comes amid broader discussions about the role of intelligence agencies in monitoring political figures and the potential for such actions to influence public discourse. While Carlson insists the CIA intercepted his communications with Iranian officials, he has not provided concrete evidence to support his allegations. The Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA) requires individuals acting on behalf of foreign entities to disclose their activities in the United States. Violations of the law can result in fines or jail time, though criminal prosecutions under FARA are rare. Legal analysts note that while the law is often referenced in cases involving lobbying or foreign influence, the likelihood of a high-profile figure like Carlson facing charges remains low. Carlson’s claims have also raised questions about the intersection of politics and media. As a leading voice in right-wing media, his statements have amplified concerns about government overreach and partisan tensions.#department_of_justice #cia #tucker_carson #foreign_agent_registration_act #fara
Federal Judge Dismisses Subpoenas Targeting Fed Chair Jerome Powell A federal judge has ruled that the Department of Justice’s subpoenas directed at Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell should be dismissed, according to a court filing unsealed on Friday. The decision, issued by Judge James Boasberg, the chief judge of the U.S. District Court for Washington, D.C., criticized the Trump administration for using the criminal investigation as a tool to pressure Powell into altering monetary policy. The judge’s opinion described the subpoenas as an attempt to coerce Powell, the head of the world’s most influential central bank, into lowering interest rates to align with the administration’s economic agenda. Boasberg accused the government of failing to present any evidence that Powell had committed a crime, stating that the sole purpose of the subpoenas was to “harass and pressure” Powell to either comply with the president’s demands or resign to make way for a more favorable Fed chair. In his ruling, Boasberg emphasized that the DOJ had provided “no evidence whatsoever” that Powell had engaged in any illegal activity beyond “displeasing the President.” The judge’s scathing language underscored his view that the investigation was politically motivated rather than grounded in legal merit. The Department of Justice has announced plans to appeal the decision, which could prolong the legal battle between the government and the Federal Reserve. This development also risks delaying the confirmation of Kevin Warsh, Trump’s nominee to lead the Fed, as the ongoing dispute casts uncertainty over the confirmation process. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, who represents the District of Columbia, condemned the ruling as “outrageous” and vowed to pursue an appeal.#department_of_justice #federal_reserve #jerome_powell #judge_james_boasberg #kevin_warsh
Lindsey Halligan, a Trump loyalist with no prosecutorial experience, faces a Florida Bar investigation over her actions at the Department of Justice. The probe follows allegations that she falsely claimed to be a U.S. attorney and engaged in unethical behavior while working at the DOJ. Halligan, who previously served as an insurance lawyer, brought failed cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James before leaving the department in January. A bar official confirmed in a letter to the Campaign for Accountability that the Florida Bar has an ongoing investigation into Halligan. The nonprofit watchdog group had previously filed complaints with both the Florida and Virginia bars in November, alleging that Halligan violated ethical standards by misrepresenting her legal authority. The Campaign for Accountability followed up with the Florida Bar last month, citing findings from two federal judges who determined that Halligan operated without legal authority. One judge found she openly defied court orders, while another concluded she misled a grand jury. Halligan’s tenure at the DOJ ended after a federal judge ruled she unlawfully held the position of interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. The judge’s decision led to the dismissal of the cases against Comey and James, as the court determined Halligan’s appointment was invalid. The New York Times first reported the Florida Bar investigation. A federal judge appointed by President Donald Trump during his first term stated in January that Halligan had been “masquerading” as the district’s top federal prosecutor. However, the judge dismissed disciplinary proceedings against her, citing her lack of prosecutorial experience and the unusual circumstances of her appointment.#department_of_justice #lindsey_halligan #campaign_for_accountability #florida_bar #james_comey
