Economy

Supreme Court to Review Fed Governor's Removal as DOJ Probes Chair Powell

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Jan 14, 2026

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The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on January 21 regarding President Donald Trump’s attempt to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook from her position. Administration officials have accused Cook of committing mortgage fraud by misrepresenting her primary residence, an allegation used to justify the dismissal effort that lower courts have previously blocked.

The legal challenge coincides with a separate conflict involving Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who announced Sunday that he was served with Justice Department subpoenas. The investigation reportedly focuses on a headquarters renovation project and whether Powell provided false testimony to Congress regarding the matter. This marks the first instance of the Justice Department investigating a sitting Fed chair. In response to the probe, Republican Senator Thom Tillis stated he intends to block the president's future nominees to the central bank.

Financial markets reacted to the turmoil on Monday with significant volatility. The Dow Jones Industrial Average initially dropped nearly 500 points before reversing course to close at a record high, while the U.S. dollar declined and safe-haven metals like gold reached new peaks. Powell’s term as chair expires in May, though his term as a governor runs until 2028. Economists suggest the Supreme Court's ruling in Cook’s case could establish a precedent influencing the administration's ability to remove Powell.

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• Legislative and judicial barriers to removal Lower courts previously blocked the administration's attempt to remove Governor Cook, a decision the Supreme Court will now review. Additionally, Republican Senator Thom Tillis has responded to the Justice Department's probe into Chair Powell by stating he intends to block the president's future nominees to the central bank.

• Market volatility and economic uncertainty The conflict surrounding the Federal Reserve leadership resulted in significant financial market volatility, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping nearly 500 points before recovering. The uncertainty also caused the U.S. dollar to decline while safe-haven assets like gold reached new peaks.

• Continuity of Powell’s gubernatorial term Despite the investigation and the expiration of his term as chair in May, Jerome Powell holds a separate term as a governor that runs until 2028. The legal protections surrounding this position remain a central factor in the ongoing dispute, subject to the outcome of the Supreme Court's review of executive removal powers.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• You may experience fluctuation in retirement accounts or personal investments, as the leadership conflict has already triggered significant market volatility and sharp swings in the stock market.

• The value of your currency may be affected by ongoing uncertainty, as the dispute caused the U.S. dollar to decline while safe-haven assets like gold reached new peaks.

• The Federal Reserve may face staffing delays or gridlock, as a key Senator intends to block future nominees in response to the Justice Department’s investigation.

• The Supreme Court’s upcoming decision could permanently alter the job security of Federal Reserve leaders, determining how easily the administration can remove officials from the central bank.

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