Start Here Fed Man Walking: Washington Ponders Powell’s Future
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Jan 13, 2026 Jay O'Brien, ABC News Capitol Hill correspondent, highlights GOP skepticism surrounding the DOJ's investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and its implications for Fed independence. Mary Kikatos, ABC News health reporter, dives into the historic nurses' strike in NYC, discussing its causes and potential impacts. Devin Dwyer, senior Washington reporter, covers the Supreme Court case on transgender girls in sports, revealing the legal arguments and the societal implications for young athletes.
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Investigation Threatens Fed Independence
- The DOJ subpoena of Fed Chair Jerome Powell risks politicizing the Fed and unsettling markets.
- Jay O'Brien says lawmakers across parties worry this could undermine the Fed's independence and operations.
GOP Pushback Shows Bipartisan Alarm
- Republican senators criticized the probe and even threatened to halt Fed nominations amid the investigation.
- Jay O'Brien notes this reaction shows bipartisan alarm about preserving central-bank autonomy.
Largest NYC Nurses Strike
- Nearly 15,000 nurses across five New York City hospitals walked out in the largest nurses strike in the city's history.
- Mary Kikatos reports they demand better pay, safer staffing, and protections against workplace violence.