Federal Judge James Boasberg Rejects Justice Department Effort to Revive Subpoenas Against Chairman Jerome Powell

Chief Judge James Boasberg denies a Justice Department request to revive subpoenas in the criminal probe into Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s building renovations.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 5, 2026, 10:12 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from CBS News

Judicial Rebuff of Justice Department Overreach

The legal battle between the executive branch and the nation's central bank reached a critical juncture on Friday, April 3, 2026. Chief Judge James Boasberg of the District of Columbia rejected a motion from the Justice Department intended to revive two quashed subpoenas. These subpoenas were part of an intensifying criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell regarding transparency and financial conduct. In his written decision, Judge Boasberg noted that the government’s arguments were insufficient to warrant a reversal of his previous ruling, which characterized the investigation as lacking a foundational evidentiary basis.

Renovations and Political Friction at the Fed

At the heart of the dispute is a multi-year renovation project at the Federal Reserve’s office buildings and Powell's subsequent testimony before the Senate Banking Committee in June 2025. Chairman Powell previously disclosed that the Justice Department's focus centered on his comments regarding the costs and management of these architectural upgrades. This investigation has unfolded against a backdrop of public tension, as Powell has faced consistent criticism from President Trump over the Federal Reserve’s refusal to implement rapid interest rate reductions to stimulate the economy.

Allegations of Pretextual Prosecution

The court’s decision to quash the subpoenas rests on the legal finding that the government's pursuit was "pretextual," meaning the investigation was being used as a cover for other motives rather than the pursuit of a specific crime. Despite the gravity of a grand jury subpoena, the probe has yet to yield any formal criminal charges. Judge Boasberg’s initial decision to block the subpoenas was unsealed last month, providing a rare public glimpse into a high-stakes standoff that is typically conducted in total secrecy through sealed proceedings.