Supreme Court Case, GOP Defense, and DOJ Probe Heighten Fed Independence Stakes
Updated (31 articles)
Court Hearing Tests Presidential Power Over Fed Governor The Supreme Court will hear arguments on Jan. 21 about whether a president can dismiss a Federal Reserve governor without cause, a challenge stemming from former President Trump’s effort to remove Governor Cook; Cook denies any wrongdoing and the Justice Department is investigating but has not filed charges [1].
Trump Presses for Rate Cuts While Eyeing New Fed Chair President Trump has repeatedly urged the Fed to lower interest rates, publicly criticized Chair Jerome Powell, and signaled he will name a successor when Powell’s chairmanship ends in May, with several potential candidates already discussed [1].
DOJ Subpoena and Criminal Probe Target Powell’s Renovation Testimony A DOJ subpoena tied to Powell’s congressional testimony on a $2.5 billion headquarters renovation—reported to be about $700 million over budget—has been framed by Powell as a pretext to force rate cuts; Powell released a video accusing the administration of weaponizing the criminal process, and the subpoena was issued by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro without notifying the Treasury, White House, or DOJ superiors [1][4].
Republican Senators Rally Behind Powell and Threaten to Block Nominees Senate Republicans have publicly defended Powell’s independence, warned they will withhold support for any Fed nominees until the investigation is resolved, and specific senators such as Thom Tillis and a retiring North Carolina banking‑committee member have pledged to block nominations, limiting the administration’s leverage [2][3][4].
Sources (4 articles)
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[1]
CNN: Fed independence at stake as Supreme Court weighs Cook case: Details the Supreme Court challenge to Trump’s attempt to fire Governor Cook, outlines the legal question of presidential removal power, and notes Trump’s pressure on the Fed and potential chair candidates .
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[2]
AP: GOP rally around Powell as Trump pressures Fed amid subpoenas: Describes Republican senators’ unified support for Powell, his video defense of independence after DOJ subpoenas, and the political push‑back limiting Trump’s influence .
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[3]
AP: Criminal investigation raises question Powell leaves Fed in May: Explores the investigation into Powell’s renovation testimony, the possibility he could remain a governor after his chair term, and how Senate skepticism may delay new appointments .
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[4]
Newsweek: Powell criminal probe tests Fed independence as political pressure grows: Highlights the $700 million overrun on the Fed HQ project, Powell’s accusation that the probe is a rate‑cut tactic, Pirro’s unilateral subpoena, and the Senate’s vow to block nominees until the probe ends .
Stories about this story (24 stories)
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CNN: Fed independence at stake as Supreme Court weighs Cook case
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AP: GOP rally around Powell as Trump pressures Fed amid subpoenas
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AP: Criminal investigation raises question Powell leaves Fed in May
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Newsweek: Powell criminal probe tests Fed independence as political pressure grows
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CNN: White House Frustration Mounts Over Pirro Powell Investigation
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BBC: World central bank chiefs back US Fed chair Powell amid DoJ inquiry
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Global Central Banks Back Powell While Trump Pressures Fed Over Renovation Dispute (2 articles)
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CNN: Trump escalates DOJ leverage with Powell probe and White House run fraud office
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AP: DOJ probe of Powell spurs defense of Fed independence
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CNN: Bessent unhappy with Powell investigation sparks market concerns and GOP pushback
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CNN: CEOs stay quiet as DOJ subpoenas Powell amid White House push for lower rates
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CNN: Trump’s Powell investigation could backfire, delaying rate cuts and unsettling markets
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Newsweek: Murkowski calls for DOJ probe into Powell amid Fed renovation controversy
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DOJ Subpoenas Fed Chair Over $2.5 B Renovation Spark Independence Clash (2 articles)
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DOJ Subpoenas Target Fed Chair Powell, Prompt Political Fight Over Independence (2 articles)
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DOJ Criminal Probe of Fed Chair Powell Sparks Bipartisan Concerns Over Independence (3 articles)
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Newsweek: DOJ probe into Powell rattles markets as Trump pressure looms
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AP: DOJ threatens indicting Fed over Powell testimony, intensifying independence battle
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DOJ Subpoenas Fed Over $2.5 B Renovation, Powell Decries Political Attack (2 articles)
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Trump‑Backed Probe Into Powell’s Fed Renovation Tests Central Bank Independence (2 articles)
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Newsweek: Economist warns hyperinflation risk amid Powell probe and Trump pressure
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BBC: Powell faces clash with Trump as DOJ indictments test Fed independence
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Newsweek: Supreme Court signals Fed independence may shield Powell removal in firing dispute
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Newsweek: Trump denies knowledge of DOJ probe into Powell Fed renovations
All related articles (31 articles)
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CNN: Fed independence at stake as Supreme Court weighs Cook case
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AP: GOP rally around Powell as Trump pressures Fed amid subpoenas
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AP: Criminal investigation raises question Powell leaves Fed in May
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Newsweek: Powell criminal probe tests Fed independence as political pressure grows
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CNN: White House Frustration Mounts Over Pirro Powell Investigation
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BBC: World central bank chiefs back US Fed chair Powell amid DoJ inquiry
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AP: Central bankers back Powell amid Trump clash over Fed independence
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CNN: Powell defends Fed independence as Trump confrontation tests the economy
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CNN: Trump escalates DOJ leverage with Powell probe and White House run fraud office
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AP: DOJ probe of Powell spurs defense of Fed independence
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CNN: Bessent unhappy with Powell investigation sparks market concerns and GOP pushback
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CNN: CEOs stay quiet as DOJ subpoenas Powell amid White House push for lower rates
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CNN: Trump’s Powell investigation could backfire, delaying rate cuts and unsettling markets
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Newsweek: Murkowski calls for DOJ probe into Powell amid Fed renovation controversy
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AP: Trump escalates clash with Fed as DOJ subpoenas Powell inquiry
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Newsweek: DOJ pressure on Powell tests Fed independence as probe looms
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Newsweek: Former Fed chair calls Powell probe politically motivated
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BBC: Former Fed chairs condemn criminal investigation into Jerome Powell
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Newsweek: DOJ probe into Powell rattles markets as Trump pressure looms
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AP: DOJ threatens indicting Fed over Powell testimony, intensifying independence battle
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BBC: Powell Under DoJ Criminal Investigation, Fed Independence in Question
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Newsweek: Hassett defends Fed independence as DOJ subpoenas Powell in renovation probe
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Newsweek: Lawmakers threaten Trump replacement for Powell amid DOJ probe
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CNN: Trump-backed probe into Powell over Fed renovation tests Fed independence
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Newsweek: Economist warns hyperinflation risk amid Powell probe and Trump pressure
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BBC: Powell faces clash with Trump as DOJ indictments test Fed independence
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Newsweek: Supreme Court signals Fed independence may shield Powell removal in firing dispute
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CNN: Federal prosecutors open criminal investigation into Powell over June testimony on Fed renovation
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Newsweek: Trump denies knowledge of DOJ probe into Powell Fed renovations
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AP: DOJ subpoenas Fed central bank, threatens indictment over Powell testimony
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Newsweek: Powell defiant after DOJ subpoenas tied to Fed renovation testimony
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