US judge upholds decision to toss subpoenas into Fed Chair Jerome Powell
Al Jazeera • • general
Key Points:
- A U.S. federal judge, James Boasberg, has again rejected subpoenas from the Trump administration seeking information on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, citing the subpoenas were issued for an improper purpose.
- The judge ruled that the subpoenas appeared intended to pressure Powell into compliance with President Trump's demands, rather than to pursue a legitimate investigation.
- Tensions between Trump and Powell have escalated since Trump’s return to office in 2025, with Trump criticizing Powell for not lowering interest rates and targeting the Federal Reserve's renovation project as alleged malfeasance.
- Powell has dismissed the Justice Department investigation into the renovation project as a pretext to undermine the Federal Reserve’s independence and leadership on monetary policy.
- The Trump administration is expected to appeal the ruling, with DOJ officials denying political motives and challenging the judge’s authority to nullify the subpoenas.
