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## Overview The US Justice Department has ended its criminal probe into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, a move that reportedly clears a major roadblock to the confirmation of his successor, Kevin Warsh (SCMP, April [date]). ## Key Details - US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeannine Pirro announced on X on Friday that her office was ending the probe into the Fed's building renovations (SCMP). - The stated reason: the Fed's own inspector general would scrutinize the renovations instead (SCMP). - This was one of several Justice Department investigations undertaken into President [Trump's administration's] targets, per the source article (SCMP). ## Strategic Context This development is closely tied to the broader Fed Chair Nomination Battle involving Kevin Warsh, Thom Tillis, and Jerome Powell, and to ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the Federal Reserve over its independence. Dropping the probe appears to remove a political and legal complication ahead of Warsh's confirmation process. ## Why This Matters Fed leadership transitions carry major implications for monetary policy, interest rates, and market stability — particularly relevant amid the Iran War's inflationary pressures and ongoing debate over Fed independence versus White House influence. Attorneys and business leaders should track how this affects Fed governance, confirmation timelines, and market expectations for rate policy. ## Entities Involved - Jerome Powell (outgoing Fed Chair) - Kevin Warsh (nominee) - US Justice Department - Jeannine Pirro (US Attorney, DC) - Federal Reserve