2 h. ago ‘Agent of chaos’ Bill Pulte and Jeanine Pirro behind DOJ investigation of Fed Chair Jerome Powell, report claims

Chairman has dismissed probe as a political attack brought about because he refuses to lower interest rates in line with ‘the preferences of the president’

Events

3 h. ago The Jerome Powell investigation shows Trump’s need for limitless power | Austin Sarat

The inquiry into the Federal Reserve chair sends a message to anyone standing in Trump’s way – including the supreme courtNews that Donald Trump’s justice department has launched an investigation of Jerome Powell, chair of the Federal Reserve, is the latest example of the president’s governing philosophy: do what I want, or I will crush you. The desire to make Powell’s life miserable is also a warning sign to anyone who thinks that they have an independent source of authority.What is happening to Powell is a test, not just for him and the Fed, but for any other person or institution that dares to stand up to the president.Austin Sarat, William Nelson Cromwell professor of jurisprudence and political science at Amherst College, is the author or editor of more than 100 books, including Gruesome Spectacles: Botched Executions and America’s Death Penalty Continue reading...

Politics

4 h. ago Eleven central bank chiefs defend Fed’s Jerome Powell over DoJ investigation; oil hits two

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as Trump says countries doing business with Iran face 25% tariff on US tradeGlobal central bank officials are reportedly planning to release a coordinated statement of support for US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, after America’s top central banker was threatened with a criminal indictment.Reuters is reporting that the statement, which is expected to contain the signatures of central bankers from around the world, will back Powell and stress the need for independent central banking. Continue reading...

Events

4 h. ago ‘Agent of chaos’ Bill Pulte and Jeanine Pirro behind DOJ investigation of Fed Chair Jerome Powell

Chairman has dismissed probe as a political attack brought about because he refuses to lower interest rates in line with ‘the preferences of the president’

Events

9 h. ago Bessent unhappy with Justice Department’s criminal probe into Jerome Powell: report

Scott Bessent believes the Department of Justice has ‘made a mess’ with its unprecedented investigation into the Fed chair, according to insiders

Events

28 h. ago Criminal investigation into Fed chair Powell has ‘reinforced’ concerns over independence, Goldman Sachs warns – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsJustice department opens investigation into Jerome Powell as Trump ramps up campaign against Federal ReserveIn the UK property sector, a higher proportion of homes in London were sold at a loss than any other region in England and Wales last year.Estate agency Hamptons has reported that nearly 15% of London sellers sold for less in 2025 than they originally paid, almost double the national average of 8.7%.Last year, the average homeowner in England & Wales sold for £91,260 more than they paid, a value increase of 41.0% over an average holding period of 9.0 years. This is £570 less than the 2024 average of £91,830.Stronger recent price growth in Northern regions has boosted returns, meaning many sellers in the North of England achieved proportionally higher gains than those in much of the South.Flat sellers were four times more likely to make a loss than house sellers in England & Wales (19.9% vs 4.5%). Continue readin...

Events

28 h. ago Trump says he doesn’t ‘know anything about’ the DOJ’s investigation into the Federal Reserve

President Trump has long pressured Powell to cut the central bank’s interest rates

Politics

31 h. ago Dollar weakens after US prosecutors launch criminal investigation into Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsJustice department opens investigation into Jerome Powell as Trump ramps up campaign against Federal ReserveGold has hit a new high around $4.600 an ounce; it’s up over 1.5% today, pushed up by the weaker dollar.The US dollar has dropped on the foreign exchange markets since news of the investigation into Powell hit the wires.Powell highlighted that the key issue is whether the Fed can continue setting interest rates based on economic data and evidence, or whether monetary policy will be directed by political pressure.I’m afraid we may be moving toward the second scenario. If the Fed becomes a political tool, with its chair replaced by a government puppet, that could further weaken appetite for the U.S. dollar and U.S. bonds. Continue reading...

Events

35 h. ago Fed chair Jerome Powell issues defiant response as federal prosecutors open criminal probe into central bank

Federal prosecutors in Washington have opened a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell over whether he misled Congress about renovation of the Fed's headquarters.

Events

36 h. ago Justice department opens investigation into Jerome Powell as Trump ramps up campaign against Federal Reserve

Fed chair accuses DoJ of threatening criminal charges over building renovation projects because central bank defied Trump’s interest rate demandsThe Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into Jerome Powell and the Federal Reserve, a significant escalation in Donald Trump’s extraordinary attack on the US central bank.Powell said the Department of Justice had served the Fed with grand jury subpoenas on Friday, threatening a criminal indictment related to his testimony before the Senate banking committee in June last year, regarding renovations to the Fed’s historic office buildings in Washington DC. Continue reading...

Politics

36 h. ago Republican senator says ‘independence and credibility’ of Department of Justice is in question amid Powell criminal probe

President Trump has long pressured Powell to cut the central bank’s interest rates

Politics

37 h. ago Federal prosecutors open criminal probe into Fed Chair Jerome Powell

President Trump has long pressured Powell to cut the central bank’s interest rates

Events

4 d. ago Six years after George Floyd, we must stand against an ICE killing in Minneapolis | Austin Sarat

Barely a mile from Floyd’s murder, an officer killed Renee Nicole Good. We must peacefully say no to this violenceOn 25 May 2020, America witnessed a stunning act of police brutality when a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, murdered George Floyd. The killer, Derek Chauvin, apparently confident that he would be immune to accountability, did his deed in the open, with other officers standing by and in front of a crowd of onlookers.The video of Floyd’s murder shocked the nation.Austin Sarat, William Nelson Cromwell professor of jurisprudence and political science at Amherst College, is the author or editor of more than 100 books, including Gruesome Spectacles: Botched Executions and America’s Death Penalty Continue reading...

Events

7 d. ago Trump is marching into 2026 with the worst cabinet in history | Austin Sarat

From RFK Jr to Pete Hegseth, the president’s top aides have been disastrous. We shouldn’t be surprisedAs 2024 ended and Donald Trump’s cabinet picks were rolled out, commentators scrambled to decide which one was the worst. Was it Matt Gaetz for attorney general? Or Pete Hegseth, for secretary of defense? Or maybe Robert F Kennedy Jr to lead the Department of Health and Human Services?Soon after, the White House crowed that Trump had assembled “the greatest cabinet of all time”.Austin Sarat, William Nelson Cromwell professor of jurisprudence and political science at Amherst College, is the author or editor of more than 100 books, including Gruesome Spectacles: Botched Executions and America’s Death Penalty Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago Trump’s approach to Venezuela repeats the mistakes of the past | Austin Sarat

Congress must work to stop the president from leading us further into a South American quagmireDonald Trump seems determined to have a military confrontation with Venezuela. He has deployed a massive military arsenal in and around the Caribbean Sea and taken a series of provocative actions off the Venezuelan coast, justifying it as necessary to stem the flow of drugs into the United States.The Council on Foreign Relations says that deployment includes an “aircraft carrier, destroyers, cruisers, amphibious assault ships, and a special forces support ship. A variety of aircraft have also been active in the region, including bombers, fighters, drones, patrol planes, and support aircraft.” This is the largest display of American military might in the western hemisphere since we invaded Panama in 1989.Austin Sarat, William Nelson Cromwell professor of jurisprudence and political science at Amherst College, is the author or editor of more than 100 books, including Gruesome Spectacles: Bot...

Politics