Judge Rejects Bid to Revive Subpoenas Targeting Fed Chair Powell

The ruling clears the way for an appeal that could delay the confirmation of Trump's pick to lead the central bank.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 5:50pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A dimly lit, cinematic government office interior with a single desk and chair, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing the high-stakes political battle over the Federal Reserve leadership.The judicial ruling denying subpoenas against the Federal Reserve chair casts a long shadow over the confirmation process.NYC Today

A federal judge denied the Justice Department's request to reconsider his decision to quash a pair of subpoenas issued to the Federal Reserve, rejecting the government's arguments in a sharply worded six-page opinion. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg said the government neither offered new evidence nor identified any material error in his March ruling, which found that the subpoenas served as part of U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro's investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell were improper.

Why it matters

This ruling could set the stage for a legal battle over the confirmation of President Trump's nominee to lead the Federal Reserve, potentially delaying the process and creating uncertainty around the central bank's leadership.

The details

The subpoenas were part of an investigation led by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Judge Boasberg previously ruled that the subpoenas were improper, and in this latest decision, he rejected the Justice Department's request to reconsider that ruling.

  • The subpoenas were issued in March 2026 as part of Pirro's investigation.
  • Judge Boasberg made his initial ruling to quash the subpoenas in March 2026.
  • The Justice Department's request to reconsider the ruling was denied on April 3, 2026.

The players

Jerome Powell

The current Chair of the Federal Reserve, nominated by President Trump.

Jeanine Pirro

The U.S. Attorney leading the investigation into Powell.

James Boasberg

The U.S. District Judge who ruled against the Justice Department's subpoenas.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The government neither offered new evidence nor identified any material error in his March ruling, which found that the subpoenas served as part of U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro's investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell were improper.”

— Judge James Boasberg, U.S. District Judge

What’s next

The Justice Department is expected to appeal Judge Boasberg's ruling, which could further delay the confirmation process for President Trump's nominee to lead the Federal Reserve.

The takeaway

This legal battle over subpoenas targeting the Federal Reserve Chair highlights the political tensions surrounding the central bank's leadership and the potential for such disputes to disrupt the orderly transition of power at the Fed.