DOJ to appeal judge's decision to block Fed subpoenas in Powell criminal probe

Summary

The Department of Justice (DOJ) plans to appeal a recent judicial decision that has obstructed subpoenas directed at the Federal Reserve as part of an inquiry into Chair Jerome Powell.

This investigation centers on comments made by Powell regarding the expensive renovations of the Federal Reserve's headquarters, raising questions about transparency and governance.

The implications of this appeal could affect the operational dynamics within the Federal Reserve and its oversight mechanisms, particularly in relation to internal communications and accountability.

Key Facts

Fact	Value
Primary source	CNBC
Source count	4
First published	2026-03-13T20:10:39.000Z

Updates

Update at 21:07 UTC on 2026-03-13

NPR News reported A federal judge halts a criminal investigation into the Federal Reserve, citing political motivations behind the probe.

Sources: NPR News

Update at 21:14 UTC on 2026-03-13

Politico reported A federal court has halted an investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, prompting the Department of Justice to announce plans to appeal the decision.

Sources: Politico

Update at 23:30 UTC on 2026-03-13

DW News reported A federal judge deemed the government's case against the Federal Reserve as improper, impacting Chair Jerome Powell's position.

Sources: DW News

Update at 01:50 UTC on 2026-03-14

Le Monde reported The Justice Department's investigation into the Federal Reserve's renovation costs faces a setback as a federal judge dismisses subpoenas.

Sources: Le Monde

Update at 01:50 UTC on 2026-03-14

France 24 reported A federal judge's decision undermines the Justice Department's investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

Sources: France 24