Speaker Johnson Speaks On Powell Fiasco
House Speaker Mike Johnson pushed back Monday against claims that the Justice Department is being used to advance President Trump’s policy agenda, as federal prosecutors examine actions tied to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.
Speaking to reporters, Johnson rejected accusations that the Department of Justice is being improperly influenced, arguing instead that concerns about politicized law enforcement were more prevalent during the previous administration.
“The Justice Department is not being weaponized,” Johnson said. “That perception existed for years under the Biden-Harris administration, and that’s why there’s so much skepticism today.”
The comments come after Powell disclosed that the Federal Reserve has received grand jury subpoenas related to his congressional testimony last year. The inquiry reportedly focuses on the rising cost of the central bank’s headquarters renovation project, which has grown to an estimated $2.5 billion.
Powell has suggested the investigation should be viewed within a broader political context, pointing to public pressure from President Donald Trump to lower interest rates amid ongoing economic challenges.
Johnson, however, urged restraint and emphasized the importance of allowing the legal process to proceed without speculation.
“We’re going to let the investigation run its course,” he said. “There are questions about spending, cost overruns, and accountability. I don’t know the facts yet, and neither does most of the media.”
He also cautioned against drawing conclusions before all information is reviewed. “If Chairman Powell has done nothing wrong, that will be established. That’s how the system is supposed to work,” Johnson added.
Despite Johnson’s defense of the process, the investigation has sparked unease among some Senate Republicans.
Sen. Thom Tillis raised concerns about the Justice Department’s credibility, suggesting that some within the Trump administration favor reducing the Federal Reserve’s long-standing independence. Sen. Lisa Murkowski called for congressional oversight of the DOJ’s actions, while Sen. Roger Marshall argued that federal prosecutors should prioritize more urgent national issues.
As the situation develops, the dispute underscores a broader debate in Washington over transparency, fiscal responsibility, and whether powerful institutions are being held to the same standards expected of ordinary Americans.
