Jerome Powell Warns DOJ Subpoenas Threaten Fed Independence, Markets React

Highlights:

• Jerome Powell has warned that legal threats against the Fed could weaken its independence and damage trust.
• DOJ subpoenas tied to the recent Federal Reserve renovation have raised fresh concerns about political pressure on policy decisions.
• Lawmakers from both parties pushed back after the DOJ action raised fresh concerns over political pressure on the Federal Reserve.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has warned that legal pressure on the central bank risks weakening monetary policy credibility. He spoke after confirming federal prosecutors issued grand jury subpoenas to the Federal Reserve late last week. The subpoenas relate to his June 2025 testimony before the Senate Banking Committee. That testimony focused on renovations at the Fed’s Washington headquarters.

Video message from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell: https://t.co/5dfrkByGyX pic.twitter.com/O4ecNaYaGH

— Federal Reserve (@federalreserve) January 12, 2026

Powell said prosecutors questioned whether he misled lawmakers about the renovation scope and costs. The multi-year project carries an estimated price of $2.5 billion. Officials have scrutinized rising expenses and schedule delays. Powell said oversight should not turn into intimidation.

Powell denied allegations that they made luxury upgrades at the headquarters during his appearance before the Senate. He claimed that there was no VIP dining room and no fresh marble fittings. He further stated that many changes were motivated by safety and structural needs.

Records published by the Federal Reserve later corroborated the statements made by Powell. Construction started in 2022 and was delayed longer than initially anticipated. Prosecutors were reported to have repeatedly contacted Powell staff to request further records. Powell claimed the subpoenas moved the question outside routine evaluation. He claimed that the investigation is now a danger to institutional norms.

Jerome Powell Warns Political Pressure Could Undermine Monetary Policy

Powell added that the threat of criminal prosecution came after the Fed declined to reduce interest rates. He explained that policymakers did it according to the economic statistics and the popular will. He opposed the notion of harmonizing policy with presidential preferences. Powell asserts that intimidation can corrupt good decision-making.

President Donald Trump denied that he ordered the investigation. He claimed he had never heard of the subpoenas. Nevertheless, he condemned the leadership of Powell at the Fed. Trump also ridiculed the renovation project and its expenses.

*TRUMP SAYS DOJ SUBPOENAS NOTHING TO DO WITH INTEREST RATES: NBC

*TRUMP DENIES INVOLVEMENT IN DOJ'S FED SUBPOENAS: NBC

— *Walter Bloomberg (@DeItaone) January 12, 2026

According to Trump, the subpoenas were not connected to interest rate policy. He denied that he would coerce the authorities into action using legal means. Political friction was heightened despite these comments. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro approved the investigation in November. Representative Anna Paulina Luna had asked prosecutors to consider the testimony of Powell earlier in July 2025. She claimed there were potential false statements in relation to the renovation. Powell cautioned that evidence-based policy could be substituted by legal threats. He claimed that the credibility of the central bank rests on independence.

Market Reaction as Leadership Uncertainty Grows at the Fed

Lawmakers from both parties responded quickly to the escalation. Senator Thom Tillis said he would block all Trump Fed nominees. He said the probe threatens central bank independence. Senator Elizabeth Warren accused the administration of abusing Justice Department authority.

If there were any remaining doubt whether advisers within the Trump Administration are actively pushing to end the independence of the Federal Reserve, there should now be none. It is now the independence and credibility of the Department of Justice that are in question. 
 
I… https://t.co/wDMH6twcD5

— Senator Thom Tillis (@SenThomTillis) January 12, 2026

Warren called for halting confirmation votes tied to Fed leadership. She said the issue now affects institutional integrity. Meanwhile, Powell’s leadership timeline added urgency. His term as chair ends in May 2026. Powell can remain on the Board of Governors until January 2028. Trump told the New York Times he has chosen Powell’s replacement.

The crypto market has reacted negatively to the news, with BTC falling back to $90,000 after a strong rally past $91,000 in the early morning trading hours. Most of the top 5 cryptocurrencies by market cap are trading in the red zone. Meanwhile, traders are looking toward the January 27 Fed meeting to determine the trajectory of the market. On the other side, Gold has hit a record high of $4,600 today, while the dollar fell. Most traders are turning to traditional assets as they await the next Fed rate cut.