Story perspectives

DOJ Drops Powell Probe, Clearing Warsh Confirmation Path

4/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced on April 24, 2026 that the DOJ is dropping its probe of Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Jerome Powell over $2.5 billion cost overruns in the Fed’s Washington renovation.
The move removes a hurdle to Senate confirmation of Fed-chair nominee Kevin Warsh, who has backing from Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.).
White House spokesperson Kush Desai said the administration is confident the Senate will confirm Warsh after the DOJ’s action.

History

Historical Context

During the 2008 crisis, Ben Bernanke was confirmed as Fed chair and later won a 70–30 Senate vote in 2010, setting a precedent for decisive monetary leadership. Decades after his 2006 voice-vote appointment, Kevin Warsh’s 2026 nomination resurfaced, and the DOJ’s April 2026 dismissal of the Powell probe cleared his path, echoing past moves to preserve market stability.

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Story summary

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced on April 24, 2026 that the DOJ is dropping its probe of Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Jerome Powell over $2.5 billion cost overruns in the Fed’s Washington renovation.
The move removes a hurdle to Senate confirmation of Fed-chair nominee Kevin Warsh, who has backing from Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.).
White House spokesperson Kush Desai said the administration is confident the Senate will confirm Warsh after the DOJ’s action.

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