DC Judge Slaps Down DOJ’s Second Attempt To Subpoena Federal Reserve
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell
A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has flatly rejected a U.S. government request to reconsider a previous ruling that blocked subpoenas aimed at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.
Chief Judge James E. Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued the order on Friday, ending the latest chapter in a legal battle over an investigation that critics suggest is politically motivated.
The ruling follows an initial decision on March 11, 2026, which quashed government subpoenas looking into allegations of fraud and lying to Congress. The government had quickly moved for reconsideration, arguing that the court applied an “incorrect legal standard.”
However, Judge Boasberg was not moved, stating in his opinion that the government’s brief “neither offers new evidence nor points to any material error.”
At the heart of the dispute is whether the Department of Justice is using the grand jury process for a legitimate investigation or to exert pressure on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.
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The government argued that prosecutors are not required to show evidence of a crime before issuing a subpoena, noting that the entire point of the process is to find evidence they don’t yet have.
Judge Boasberg acknowledged that while the government generally has broad power to issue subpoenas, that power “is not unlimited.” He maintained that a subpoena can be quashed if its “dominant purpose” is improper.
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In this case, the judge found that the government failed to show a “good-faith basis” to suspect a crime, pointing instead to a years-long history of presidential pressure and harassment directed at Powell.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell
“The controlling legal question is what these ‘subpoena[s’] dominant purpose’ is: pressuring Powell to lower rates or resign, or pursuing a legitimate investigation opened because the facts suggested wrongdoing,” Boasberg wrote.
The government’s motion also tried to highlight factual errors in the court’s previous timeline, noting that it had asked to meet with the Board before issuing the subpoenas. The judge dismissed this, along with several other points, including arguments about an Inspector General’s audit and the specific wording of the subpoenas.
The judge noted that even though one subpoena did not name Powell directly, it sought records regarding his testimony to Congress and costs associated with Board renovations—topics the President has frequently used to publicly attack the Chair.
“No matter whom the subpoenas were addressed to, then, it was clear whom they sought dirt on: Powell,” the judge stated.
The court concluded that the government’s arguments did not come close to warranting a different outcome. With the denial of the motion for reconsideration, the previous order quashing the subpoenas remains in effect.
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DC Judge Slaps Down DOJ’s Second Attempt To Subpoena Federal Reserve