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
