What A Day Trump’s War On The Fed
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Jan 13, 2026 Leah Littman, a legal commentator and cohost of the popular Strict Scrutiny podcast, dives into the DOJ's investigation of Jerome Powell for allegedly lying about Fed renovations. She explains Trump’s attempts to manipulate Fed policies for his political gain and the potential repercussions for the Fed's independence. The discussion also touches on the Supreme Court's upcoming cases, including challenges to anti-trans laws and restrictions on voting rights, shedding light on the legal landscape ahead.
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Investigation As Political Pressure
- Jerome Powell says DOJ's probe into Fed renovations is a political pretext to pressure monetary policy.
- Leah Littman frames the investigation as an attempt to intimidate the Fed into lowering interest rates.
Short-Term Rate Tactics Risk Long-Term Harm
- Donald Trump pressured the Fed to lower rates for short-term political gains according to Leah Littman.
- Littman warns such manipulation risks long-term economic instability.
Multiple Safeguards Against Vindictive Charges
- Legal and institutional checks can block politically-motivated prosecutions, like career prosecutors and grand juries.
- Littman lists defenses Powell could use, including vindictive-prosecution claims and jury skepticism.
