Judge Again Rejects DOJ Bid to Revive Federal Reserve Subpoenas in Powell Criminal Probe
U.S. District Judge Christopher Boasberg issued a new six‑page opinion denying the Justice Department’s request to reconsider his March order quashing two subpoenas to the Federal Reserve in the criminal probe of former Fed Chair Jerome Powell, finding DOJ offered no new evidence or identified any material legal error. The ruling effectively clears the procedural path for an appeal, which could in turn delay confirmation of President Trump’s nominee to succeed Powell at the Fed.
📌 Key Facts
- On April 3, 2026, Judge Boasberg issued a new six‑page opinion denying the Justice Department’s request that he reconsider his March decision quashing two subpoenas to the Federal Reserve.
- In the opinion, Boasberg said the DOJ offered no new evidence and identified no material legal error in his earlier order.
- The subpoenas were directed to the Federal Reserve and were targeting Powell.
- The Justice Department had sought to revive those Federal Reserve subpoenas; Boasberg rejected that request.
- Boasberg’s denial effectively clears the procedural path for an appeal that could delay confirmation of President Trump’s pick to succeed Powell at the Fed.
📊 Relevant Data
The Federal Reserve's renovation project for its Eccles Building and another building has a total budget that has increased to $2.5 billion from an initial estimate of $1.9 billion, representing cost overruns of approximately $600 million.
Why the Federal Reserve's Renovation Costs $2.5 Billion — Bloomberg
As of April 2026, the Federal Reserve has maintained the federal funds rate at a target range of 3.5% to 3.75%, with projections for possibly no rate cuts or only a single quarter-point cut by the end of the year due to persistent inflation around 2.7%.
United States Fed Funds Interest Rate — Trading Economics
President Trump has repeatedly criticized Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell for not lowering interest rates more aggressively, claiming in 2025 that Powell's policies are costing the United States hundreds of billions of dollars.
Trump slams Jerome Powell after Fed holds rates steady — CNBC
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Boasberg issued a new six‑page opinion denying the Justice Department’s request that he reconsider his March decision quashing two subpoenas to the Federal Reserve.
- In the new ruling, Boasberg says DOJ offered no new evidence and identified no material legal error in his earlier order.
- The WSJ notes that this denial effectively clears the procedural path for an appeal that could delay confirmation of President Trump’s pick to succeed Powell at the Fed.