Federal judge quashes Justice Department subpoenas issued to the Federal Reserve in probe involving Chair Jerome Powell

First covered Friday, March 13, 2026U.S. PoliticsWell-covered

The Facts

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg quashed subpoenas the Justice Department issued to the Federal Reserve in a probe involving Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
The subpoenas were tied to an investigation described as focusing on the Federal Reserve’s renovation of its Washington headquarters and related management of the project.
Boasberg wrote that the government produced essentially no evidence to suspect Powell of a crime and found the stated justifications for the subpoenas to be thin or pretextual.
Boasberg concluded the subpoenas were issued for an improper purpose and cited evidence suggesting the effort was meant to pressure Powell regarding interest rates or to resign.
Powell disclosed the investigation in January and said it threatened Federal Reserve independence and was part of pressure on the Fed to cut interest rates.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro leads the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and opened the probe; she said she would appeal the judge’s decision.

Context

What did the judge’s ruling do?

Judge James Boasberg quashed the subpoenas the Justice Department had issued to the Federal Reserve, blocking prosecutors from compelling the requested information in this matter. Investing.com BBC WSJ

What was the investigation purportedly about?

The probe was described as focusing on the management of the Federal Reserve’s renovation of its Washington headquarters, including scrutiny connected to Powell’s statements about the project. Investing.com WSJ

Why did the judge say the subpoenas were improper?

Boasberg said the government presented essentially no evidence suggesting Powell committed a crime and found the subpoenas appeared to be a pretext, citing evidence they were aimed at pressuring Powell on interest-rate policy or to resign. Investing.com Fox News WSJ

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg quashed subpoenas the Justice Department issued to the Federal Reserve in a probe involving Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
The subpoenas were tied to an investigation described as focusing on the Federal Reserve’s renovation of its Washington headquarters and related management of the project.
Boasberg wrote that the government produced essentially no evidence to suspect Powell of a crime and found the stated justifications for the subpoenas to be thin or pretextual.
Boasberg concluded the subpoenas were issued for an improper purpose and cited evidence suggesting the effort was meant to pressure Powell regarding interest rates or to resign.
Powell disclosed the investigation in January and said it threatened Federal Reserve independence and was part of pressure on the Fed to cut interest rates.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro leads the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and opened the probe; she said she would appeal the judge’s decision.

Federal judge quashes Justice Department subpoenas issued to the Federal Reserve in probe involving Chair Jerome Powell

The Facts

Context

Wire services (11)

Independent coverage (50)

Facts first. Then every angle.

Federal judge quashes Justice Department subpoenas issued to the Federal Reserve in probe involving Chair Jerome Powell

The Facts

Context

Wire services (11)

Independent coverage (50)

Facts first. Then every angle.