The Justice Department ended its probe into the Federal Reserve HQ renovation costs and handed the matter to the Fed’s inspector general, a move that eases Sen. Thom Tillis’s hold on Kevin Warsh’s bid to lead the Fed and could accelerate Warsh’s confirmation before Powell’s term expires, though the White House says the investigation will continue under a different authority.
With Powell's term ending May 15, Warsh's confirmation faces Republican opposition tied to a DOJ probe into Powell's oversight of Fed renovations, raising the risk of a leadership gap if Warsh isn't confirmed in time and Powell serves as pro tempore or is replaced, a move that could spark legal challenges and unsettled markets amid inflation concerns and energy-driven price pressures.
Republicans are pushing to confirm Kevin Warsh as the next Fed chair as Jerome Powell’s term ends, while urging the Trump administration to end its DOJ probe into Powell; Sen. Thom Tillis remains a key blocker and is seeking an off-ramp, with Senate leaders signaling the probe must wrap up to move Warsh forward. Trump has threatened to fire Powell if he stays, and a Warsh confirmation hearing is on the calendar as GOP lawmakers press for leadership changes at the Fed.
Senate Banking Chair Tim Scott said he does not believe Fed Chair Jerome Powell committed a crime during last year’s congressional hearing on Fed HQ renovations, calling the incident a gross error in judgment rather than criminal as the DOJ subpoenas related to Powell’s remarks unfold. The live updates also report a Jan. 6 committee subpoena to T-Mobile, ongoing DHS funding talks with potential stopgap options, and leadership maneuvering around the Fed and related investigations.
Former special counsel Jack Smith is slated for a public Jan. 22 hearing before the House Judiciary Committee on the Trump investigations, signaling a potential shift in how the hearings unfold. Simultaneously, GOP lawmakers push on a Venezuela war-powers resolution and Republicans debate the DOJ’s investigation of Fed Chair Jerome Powell, highlighting tensions over central-bank independence and executive power, while other Capitol Hill items—from a stock-trading ban markup to crypto legislation—continue to shape the agenda.
U.S. stock futures fell after Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the DOJ subpoenaed the Federal Reserve and threatened a criminal indictment over HQ renovations, accusing Trump of pressuring the Fed and raising questions about the central bank's independence and potential rate moves.
The White House defends border czar Tom Homan, asserting he did nothing wrong amid a DOJ investigation, which found no evidence of illegal activity, and emphasizes his support for the administration's immigration agenda.
Steven Miron and Steven Newhouse resigned from the Warner Bros. Discovery board amid a Justice Department investigation into potential antitrust violations related to their service on the board. The investigation focuses on whether their simultaneous roles on the boards of competing companies violated the Clayton Antitrust Act. Both Miron and Newhouse, who were independent directors, chose to resign immediately, citing the changing dynamics of competition in the entertainment industry. Their resignations led to a reduction in the size of the board, and the company expressed gratitude for their contributions while acknowledging their departure.
The Department of Justice is set to investigate the planned sports streaming platform by Walt Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros Discovery over concerns of potential harm to consumers, sports leagues, and rivals. The joint venture aims to launch a sports streaming service this autumn, offering non-exclusive access to various television sports networks and streamed content. The companies hold a broad portfolio of professional and collegiate sports rights, including major leagues and college competitions. Additionally, Disney plans to launch a stand-alone streaming version of ESPN in 2025, incorporating digital features such as sports betting and fantasy sports.
Rep. Cori Bush is under investigation by the Justice Department for allegedly misusing government funds for her security, with more than $500,000 spent on private security while advocating for defunding the police. Bush blames "right-wing" organizations for baseless complaints and asserts that she has not used federal tax dollars for personal security services. The probe also involves payments to her husband for security services, with ongoing investigations by the Federal Election Commission and the House Committee on Ethics. Bush maintains that she has complied with all laws and House rules, and is fully cooperating with the pending investigations.
US lawmakers are calling for a Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into Apple's decision to block Beeper's iMessage app, which allows users to access multiple messaging platforms in one place. The lawmakers argue that Apple's actions may be anticompetitive and are concerned about the potential harm to consumer choice and innovation.
Hunter Biden has requested the Justice Department to investigate his former business partner, Tony Bobulinski, for allegedly lying to federal investigators about his connections with the Biden family. Biden's attorneys accused Bobulinski of misrepresenting his ties to the family and misleading FBI investigators regarding President Biden's involvement in their foreign business dealings. Bobulinski had previously claimed that Joe Biden was involved in his son's dealings with a Chinese energy company. The Republican-led House Oversight Committee accused Hunter Biden's legal team of attempting to intimidate a potential witness in a Joe Biden impeachment inquiry.
Hunter Biden is requesting that the Justice Department investigate his former business associate, Tony Bobulinski, for allegedly lying to federal investigators during an interview prior to the 2020 presidential election. Attorneys for Hunter Biden accused Bobulinski of mischaracterizing his relationship with the Biden family to tarnish their reputation. Bobulinski had previously made allegations that the Bidens lied about their involvement in overseas business ventures. Hunter Biden's lawyer claims that Bobulinski misled investigators about his contacts with the Biden family and the extent of Joe Biden's potential benefits from foreign business ventures. Bobulinski denies the allegations and suggests that he and the Bidens testify together before Congress. The criminal referral coincides with reports that Bobulinski may testify as a witness in the House Oversight Committee's impeachment inquiry into President Biden.
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating Tesla following reports that the company exaggerated the driving range of its vehicles. The DOJ has requested information and subpoenaed Tesla for documents related to its Autopilot and Full Self Driving (FSD) features, as well as matters associated with personal benefits, related parties, vehicle range, and personnel decisions. This investigation comes amidst mounting backlash and legal action from customers who allege fraud and false advertising. Tesla's recent missteps, including the recall of 362,758 cars due to dangerous FSD Beta and a criminal investigation into Autopilot claims, have raised concerns. Additionally, Tesla's capital expenditures are expected to exceed targets this year, and the company is facing challenges in maintaining its dominance in the EV industry, with the success of the Cybertruck being crucial. As Tesla expands its advertising efforts, regulatory scrutiny is likely to increase.
UBS denies knowledge of a probe by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) into alleged compliance failures at its subsidiary Credit Suisse, which reportedly allowed Russian clients to evade sanctions. UBS stated that the recent reporting on the alleged probe is inaccurate and that both UBS and Credit Suisse have actively reduced their exposure to Russia. However, UBS has been in touch with the DOJ regarding the matter. The news comes after a Bloomberg report claimed that the DOJ had briefed UBS lawyers about Credit Suisse's involvement in sanctions violations. The Swiss Bankers Association estimated that over $200 billion in Russian money is held in Swiss banks, with concerns raised about sanctions evasion and money laundering. UBS shares initially plummeted but have since recovered slightly.