In a rare video message released early on Sunday, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the US central bank had received grand jury subpoenas that could expose it to criminal indictment by the Department of Justice.
Powell said the subpoenas relate to his June testimony concerning renovation work at the Fed’s office buildings.
He said that the move was part of a pressure campaign by the Trump administration aimed at pushing the central bank to lower interest rates.
Read his full statement below:
Good evening. On Friday, the Department of Justice served the Federal Reserve with grand jury subpoenas, threatening a criminal indictment related to my testimony before the Senate Banking Committee last June. That testimony concerned in part a multi-year project to renovate historic Federal Reserve office buildings.I have deep respect for the rule of law and for accountability in our democracy. No one, certainly not the chair of the Federal Reserve, is above the law, but this unprecedented action should be seen in the broader context of the administration’s threats and ongoing pressure.This new threat is not about my testimony last June or about the renovation of the Federal Reserve buildings. It is not about Congress’s oversight rule. The Fed, through testimony and other public disclosures, made every effort to keep Congress informed about the renovation project. Those are pretexts. The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public rather than following the preferences of the president.This is about whether the Fed will be able to continue to set interest rates based on evidence and economic conditions or whether instead monetary policy will be directed by political pressure or intimidation. I have served at the Federal Reserve under four administrations, Republicans, and Democrats alike.In every case, I have carried out my duties without political fear or favor focused solely on our mandate of price stability and maximum employment. Public service sometimes requires standing firm in the face of threats. I will continue to do the job the Senate confirmed me to do with integrity and a commitment to serving the American people. Thank you.
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