Prosecutors from Jeanine Pirro's Office Attempt Unannounced Visit to Federal Reserve
On Tuesday, two prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney's office, led by Jeanine Pirro, arrived unannounced at the Federal Reserve's headquarters in Washington, D.C., only to be turned away, as reported.
The Federal Reserve is currently embroiled in a contentious $2.5 billion renovation project, which has sparked tensions between President Donald Trump and Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
This renovation has led to a Department of Justice investigation into Powell, although a federal judge blocked this inquiry last month.
According to sources, prosecutors Carlton Davis and Steven Vandervelden approached construction workers on-site, expressing a desire to tour the facility and assess the renovation's progress. However, they were informed that access required prior clearance.
They were subsequently provided with contact details for the Fed's legal team and asked to leave.
“Any construction project that has cost overruns of almost 80 percent over the original construction budget deserves some serious review,” Pirro stated in response to the incident.
“And these people are in charge of monetary policy in the United States?”
In a letter to Pirro, Robert Hur, an attorney representing the Fed, criticized the prosecutors for their lack of notice and referenced U.S. District Judge James Boasberg’s ruling that dismissed two subpoenas related to Pirro's investigation.
Judge Boasberg determined that the DOJ's investigation was intended to “harass and pressure” Powell, who has been at odds with Trump despite being appointed by him during his first term due to Powell's reluctance to adjust interest rates according to Trump's preferences.
“Should you wish to challenge that finding, the courts provide an avenue for you; it is not appropriate for you to try to circumvent it,” Hur wrote. “I ask that you commit not to seek to communicate with my client outside the presence of counsel.”
This confrontation coincided with the Senate Banking Committee advancing the confirmation process for Kevin Warsh, Trump's nominee to replace Powell when his term ends on May 15.
The committee announced a confirmation hearing for Warsh on April 21, even as its chairman, South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott, expressed uncertainty about when Pirro's investigation into the renovation costs would conclude.
North Carolina GOP Sen. Thom Tillis has previously indicated he will not support any nominee for Powell’s successor until the investigation is resolved.
Last summer, Trump visited the renovation site wearing a hard hat and had a tense interaction with Powell. He recently commended Pirro “for having the courage” to investigate the Federal Reserve.
Trump also expressed frustration over the contractor involved in the project, stating that “he is probably one of the richest men in the country right now.”
Pirro has demonstrated a commitment to pursuing cases aligned with Trump's agenda since her appointment last May, employing Davis and Vandervelden as special counsels.
Among their assignments is a controversial case involving six Democratic lawmakers who urged military members to refuse illegal orders in a widely discussed video.
