JUDICIAL REBUKE: FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKS DOJ SUBPOENAS AGAINST FED CHAIR JEROME POWELL


 

A Scathing Legal Defeat In a decision that has sent shockwaves through Washington, Chief U.S. District Judge James Boasberg has officially quashed the Justice Department's subpoenas targeting Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. In a sharply worded, 27-page opinion unsealed on March 13, 2026, the judge characterized the criminal investigation as a "pretextual" attempt to weaponize law enforcement for political ends.

"Essentially Zero Evidence" The Justice Department, under U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, had issued subpoenas ostensibly focused on Powell’s 2025 Senate testimony regarding cost overruns in the $2.5 billion renovation of the Fed’s headquarters. However, Judge Boasberg ruled that the government had produced "essentially zero evidence" to suspect Powell of any crime. Instead, the judge pointed to a "mountain of evidence" suggesting the probe was actually designed to pressure Powell into lowering interest rates or forcing his resignation before his term expires in May 2026.

The Independence of the Fed Jerome Powell has long been a target of public criticism from President Trump, who has frequently called him "stupid" and "incompetent" for not cutting rates more aggressively. This ruling is being hailed by defenders of the central bank as a critical victory for institutional independence. Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) praised the decision, stating it confirms "just how weak and frivolous" the investigation was.

The Appeal and the Road Ahead The Justice Department has already announced its intention to appeal the ruling. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro argued that the decision "neutered the grand jury’s ability to investigate crime" and claimed Powell is now "bathed in immunity." As the legal battle moves to the appellate level, the outcome will likely define the boundaries of executive power over independent agencies for years to come.

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