Best Podcasts on Jerome Powell Investigation
Updated: Apr 26, 2026 – 8 episodes
The U.S. Justice Department has concluded its criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell without filing charges. This decision removes a potential legal cloud over Powell, allowing him to focus on monetary policy and economic challenges. The investigation's closure is significant for the stability of the Federal Reserve's leadership.
Meet the Press offers a balanced view on the Justice Department's decision to end its investigation into Jerome Powell, highlighting the ongoing scrutiny by the Fed's inspector general. Start with their episode discussing the potential political motivations behind this decision. The NPR Politics Podcast dives into the political pressures that influenced the investigation's closure, making it clear that this was more about politics than legal merit. UnJustified provides a straightforward take, explaining why the investigation lacked substantial evidence and was expected to end. For a more critical perspective, Behind the Bastards discusses the political dysfunction surrounding Trump's efforts to replace Powell.
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Ridealong has curated the best podcasts and clips about Justice department ends criminal investigation into fed chair Jerome Powell. Listen now.
Podcast Episodes Covering This Story
“Piero saying she will stand down while the Fed's inspector general investigates cost overruns associated with a renovation project of the agency's headquarters. Quote, I have directed my office to close our investigation as the IG undertakes this inquiry. Note well, however, that I will not hesitate to restart a criminal investigation should the facts weren't doing so.”
Ridealong summary
The Justice Department's decision to end its investigation into Jerome Powell is not a definitive closure but a shift to the Fed's inspector general, keeping the scrutiny on financial mismanagement alive.
“To be clear, this investigation was pretty blatantly part of a pressure campaign from President Trump on Jerome Powell, the Fed chairman, who President Trump called too late and was trying to pressure to lower interest rates and if not that to just quit before his time was up. Sam, what does this mean for Kevin Warsh, who is the president's pick to become the Fed chair?”
Ridealong summary
The Justice Department's decision to end the investigation into Jerome Powell was influenced by political pressure rather than legal merit.
“Boesberg said in his ruling to quash the subpoenas that the U.S. Attorney's Office had provided, quote, essentially zero evidence of a crime and had declined an offer to show him evidence in private without attorneys for the Fed being present. Quote, indeed, most members of the committee that Powell testified before, including a majority of each party members as well as the committee chair have said that they do not think he committed a crime the judge wrote.”
Ridealong summary
The Justice Department's investigation into Jerome Powell lacked substantial evidence, and the decision to end it was expected given the weak case.
“"This is a failed investigation by the Justice Department. This comes from NPR. The DOJ has ended its probe into Jerome Powell, Federal Reserve Chair, clearing a major roadblock for the confirmation of his successor, Kevin Warsh. So don't think for a minute that the DOJ is trying to do the right thing here."”
Ridealong summary
The DOJ's decision to end the investigation into Jerome Powell is seen as a failure and not an indication of them doing the right thing.
“I mean, I feel bad for Jerome Powell. I think he was kind of coasting towards a pretty soft landing for his own career... So I think for him, he is such a public servant that I think he'll stay on the board to make sure that everything goes smoothly the next couple of years. Fed independence. Are you worried about it? I think most people are, yeah, myself included.”
Ridealong summary
Jerome Powell's commitment to public service is evident despite the challenges, but concerns about Fed independence and political pressures remain significant.
“The biggest issue that Trump is facing here is that Pom Tillis, who's an outgoing Republican senator, is refusing to let any Trump appointee pass through the finance committee unless Trump ends the investigation into Jerome Powell. So this has had everything at a complete standstill.”
Ridealong summary
The investigation into Jerome Powell was politically motivated and has stalled Trump's efforts to replace him, highlighting dysfunction in the appointment process.
“The Justice Department just dropped its criminal probe of Fed Chair Jerome Powell after Senator Tillis threatened to block the nomination of the president's pick to lead the Fed. Kevin Warsh. Does the Justice Department commit to not reopening this investigation if and after Kevin Warsh is confirmed? What we said last week remains true. We are letting Horowitz, the inspector general, do his job.”
Ridealong summary
The Justice Department's decision to end the investigation into Jerome Powell is procedural, with future actions contingent on findings from the inspector general.
“I don't know that the drama is actually over here. I mean, I look at this and if Tillis is willing to take this as his definitive like thing, I think he's crazy. I think he's been looking for an off ramp. Yeah. You think he's looking for an off ramp? Like this is, he didn't think that he, so Trump will have won. It would not surprise me at all. If the minute Warsh is confirmed, they ramp things back up or something like that.”
Ridealong summary
The investigation's closure does not end the drama for Jerome Powell, as political pressures and potential future investigations loom over the Federal Reserve's leadership.