{"id":2796,"date":"2026-01-12T11:34:41","date_gmt":"2026-01-12T11:34:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.mogitojournals.org\/?p=2796"},"modified":"2026-01-12T11:25:50","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T11:25:50","slug":"jerome-powell-criminal-probe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.mogitojournals.org\/fr\/jerome-powell-criminal-probe\/","title":{"rendered":"Criminal Probe Into Fed Chair Jerome Powell: Trump\u2019s Pressure Sparks Historic Investigation"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Introduction: A Historic Investigation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a development that has rocked the US political and financial landscape, the US Justice Department has opened a criminal probe into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell<\/strong>. Announced publicly by Powell on Sunday, the investigation involves subpoenas and potential criminal charges linked to his Senate testimony on renovations to Federal Reserve buildings. The probe, described by Powell as \u201cunprecedented,\u201d comes amid growing tensions with President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly pressured the Fed to lower interest rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This situation raises profound questions about the independence of the Federal Reserve, the role of political influence in monetary policy, and the potential implications for the broader US economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jerome Powell Speaks Out<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Powell addressed the nation in a video statement, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of the probe. He framed the investigation as a potential threat to the Federal Reserve\u2019s ability to operate independently<\/strong>, stating:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThis is about whether the Fed will be able to continue to set interest rates based on evidence and economic conditions, or whether instead monetary policy will be directed by political pressure or intimidation.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Powell stressed his respect for the rule of law but warned that the probe should be understood in the context of ongoing political pressure from the White House. He implied that his refusal to adjust interest rates under Trump\u2019s direct demands may have triggered the investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Trump\u2019s Reaction and the Political Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

President Trump publicly distanced himself from the probe, claiming in an NBC News interview:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cI don\u2019t know anything about it, but he\u2019s certainly not very good at the Fed, and he\u2019s not very good at building buildings.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The tensions are long-standing. Since his nomination of Powell in 2017, Trump has repeatedly expressed frustration with the Fed\u2019s measured approach to interest rates. Despite three rate cuts in the second half of 2025, the president has continued to call for lower rates, blaming economic pressures and inflation on prior administrations and the Federal Reserve\u2019s policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Renovation Controversy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The probe reportedly centers on renovations at two Fed buildings: the Eccles Building and 1951 Constitution Avenue. These renovations, the first in nearly a century, include critical health and safety upgrades, including the removal of asbestos and lead. While the Fed estimates the project will cost $2.5 billion, Trump has publicly criticized ballooning expenses, citing $3.1 billion as the likely cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that using a criminal investigation to scrutinize building renovations is politically motivated and unprecedented in US history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Economic Implications of the Probe<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The criminal investigation has immediate financial consequences. Investors view attacks on the Federal Reserve as a potential threat to market stability and monetary policy independence<\/strong>. Precious metals, traditionally safe-haven assets, spiked:<\/p>\n\n\n\n