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January 15, 2026
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/ahead-of-the-midterm-elections-trumps-grip-on-congress-is-starting-to-slip
MaddowBlog-Ahead of the midterm elections, Trump's grip on Congress is starting to slip
The fact that so many Republicans were willing to criticize the Jerome Powell probe was emblematic of a larger pattern — and a serious problem for the president.
Ahead of the midterm elections, Trump’s grip on Congress is starting to slip #resist www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
— jbuchana, NOW is the time to Resist! (@jbuchana.bsky.social) 2026-01-13T20:14:52.184Z
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/ahead-of-the-midterm-elections-trumps-grip-on-congress-is-starting-to-slip
Former Treasury secretaries, prominent economists and former chairs of the White House Council of Economic Advisers joined the pile-on, as did some conservative media voices, with the editorial board of The Wall Street Journal describing the developments as “a self-defeating fiasco.”
On Capitol Hill, meanwhile, congressional Democrats wasted no time in condemning the developments, but as MS NOW reported, the reaction was not entirely a partisan affair:
Plenty of the usual GOP suspects toed the party line or avoided questions in the hopes of steering clear of White House apoplexy, but several Republicans in both chambers made clear — with public, on-the-record responses — that they believed the administration was crossing a red line with this latest prosecutorial abuse.
Time will tell whether Team Trump cares about the scope and breadth of the pushback, and it remains entirely possible that the ridiculous case against Powell will proceed anyway.....
What’s more, all of this comes on the heels of related developments from late last year, when Republicans rejected some of Trump’s ridiculous nominees and voted to rebuke his trade agenda.
A New York Times analysis noted: “Together, the events illustrated that the president, who for a year has been able to count on a largely compliant Republican-led Congress with no appetite to challenge him, is facing new defiance as lawmakers concerned about their political futures look to assert themselves ahead of midterm voting.”
An adept president with extensive leadership experience might be able to navigate these waters and take steps to keep his GOP allies aligned with the White House. Trump, however, appears to have no idea how to do this — he is, after all, the least experienced president in American history — which suggests his troubles will only get worse as the midterm elections draw closer.
On Capitol Hill, meanwhile, congressional Democrats wasted no time in condemning the developments, but as MS NOW reported, the reaction was not entirely a partisan affair:
For Republican lawmakers who usually move in lockstep with President Donald Trump, the Justice Department’s investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is quickly becoming an unexpected loyalty test, with many of them expressing discomfort with the move and some vowing to make it difficult to replace Powell.
Plenty of the usual GOP suspects toed the party line or avoided questions in the hopes of steering clear of White House apoplexy, but several Republicans in both chambers made clear — with public, on-the-record responses — that they believed the administration was crossing a red line with this latest prosecutorial abuse.
Time will tell whether Team Trump cares about the scope and breadth of the pushback, and it remains entirely possible that the ridiculous case against Powell will proceed anyway.....
What’s more, all of this comes on the heels of related developments from late last year, when Republicans rejected some of Trump’s ridiculous nominees and voted to rebuke his trade agenda.
A New York Times analysis noted: “Together, the events illustrated that the president, who for a year has been able to count on a largely compliant Republican-led Congress with no appetite to challenge him, is facing new defiance as lawmakers concerned about their political futures look to assert themselves ahead of midterm voting.”
An adept president with extensive leadership experience might be able to navigate these waters and take steps to keep his GOP allies aligned with the White House. Trump, however, appears to have no idea how to do this — he is, after all, the least experienced president in American history — which suggests his troubles will only get worse as the midterm elections draw closer.
January 15, 2026
https://www.borowitzreport.com/p/greenland-suggests-trump-acquire
The Borowitz Report-Greenland Suggests Trump Acquire Epstein's Island Instead
A good idea from @borowitzreport.bsky.social
— Boehlert Media Busters (@mediabusters6.bsky.social) 2026-01-15T14:19:50.959Z
"Greenland Suggests Trump Acquire Epstein’s Island Instead"
But even better?
Rename Greenland #EpsteinIsland & Trump will never touch it or mention it again!
Are all the MAGA Men rushing to enlist & fight?
Hell No!
open.substack.com/pub/borowitz...
https://www.borowitzreport.com/p/greenland-suggests-trump-acquire
WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)—In a counterproposal designed to ease tensions with the United States, on Thursday Greenland suggested that Donald J. Trump acquire Jeffrey Epstein’s island instead.
“President Trump has no roots on our island,” Greenlandic government spokesman Hartvig Dorkelson said. “Epstein’s island, on the other hand, must stir many happy memories for him.”
Acknowledging that Epstein’s island “could benefit from rebranding,” Dorkelson said, “More than the Kennedy Center, this is a place that should have Trump’s name on it.”
Meanwhile, Trump ramped up his imperialist rhetoric, declaring that the US needed to own Lapland in order to corner the world market in laptops.
“President Trump has no roots on our island,” Greenlandic government spokesman Hartvig Dorkelson said. “Epstein’s island, on the other hand, must stir many happy memories for him.”
Acknowledging that Epstein’s island “could benefit from rebranding,” Dorkelson said, “More than the Kennedy Center, this is a place that should have Trump’s name on it.”
Meanwhile, Trump ramped up his imperialist rhetoric, declaring that the US needed to own Lapland in order to corner the world market in laptops.
January 15, 2026
https://www.rawstory.com/gavin-newsom-2674895681/
Newsom shuts down red state's demand to hand over doc with just four words
California and New York have shield laws to protect doctors. Governor Newsome's response is appropriate
Newsom shuts down red state's demand to hand over doc with just four words www.rawstory.com/gavin-newsom...
— Matthew Chapman (@fawfulfan.bsky.social) 2026-01-15T00:50:35.157Z
https://www.rawstory.com/gavin-newsom-2674895681/
Republicans in Louisiana demanded California turn over a doctor who has been shipping abortion medication to their state — but Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday told them to pound sand.
The doctor in question, Remy Coeytaux, was indicted by Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill earlier this week, on charges that could include up to 50 years of hard labor, and Gov. Jeff Landry proclaimed the defendant must be rendered to their state.
"I am signing the extradition paperwork to bring this California doctor to justice," said Landry in a post on X. "Louisiana has a zero tolerance policy for those who subvert our laws, seek to hurt women, and promote abortion. I know Gavin Newsom supports abortion in all its forms, but that doesn’t work in Louisiana. We are unapologetically pro-life."
In response, Newsom posted a four-word statement to X on Wednesday: "Louisiana's request is denied."
With several Republican-controlled states imposing near-total bans on abortion, the new front of the fight has moved to abortion medication, which can often be shipped easily between states in spite of laws that seek to restrict the practice.
In a twist development, Wyoming's first-in-the-nation categorical ban on abortion medication was struck down earlier this month by the state Supreme Court, under a state constitutional health care rights amendment that was passed in 2012 in protest of the Affordable Care Act.
The doctor in question, Remy Coeytaux, was indicted by Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill earlier this week, on charges that could include up to 50 years of hard labor, and Gov. Jeff Landry proclaimed the defendant must be rendered to their state.
"I am signing the extradition paperwork to bring this California doctor to justice," said Landry in a post on X. "Louisiana has a zero tolerance policy for those who subvert our laws, seek to hurt women, and promote abortion. I know Gavin Newsom supports abortion in all its forms, but that doesn’t work in Louisiana. We are unapologetically pro-life."
In response, Newsom posted a four-word statement to X on Wednesday: "Louisiana's request is denied."
With several Republican-controlled states imposing near-total bans on abortion, the new front of the fight has moved to abortion medication, which can often be shipped easily between states in spite of laws that seek to restrict the practice.
In a twist development, Wyoming's first-in-the-nation categorical ban on abortion medication was struck down earlier this month by the state Supreme Court, under a state constitutional health care rights amendment that was passed in 2012 in protest of the Affordable Care Act.
January 15, 2026
Republicans Block Effort to Check Trump's Power in Venezuela
G.O.P. leaders succeeded in pressuring fellow senators who initially supported the measure that would have limited President Trump’s military authority in Venezuela.
https://x.com/JoyceWhiteVance/status/2011585351014654023
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/us/politics/trump-venezuela-war-powers-vote.html?unlocked_article_code=1.EVA.VsPJ.4_Z4II5f0UFi&smid=nytcore-ios-share
The Senate on Wednesday blocked a resolution that sought to force President Trump to seek congressional approval for any U.S. military action related to Venezuela.
Republican leaders were able to garner enough support for their procedural maneuver to kill the resolution after Senators Josh Hawley of Missouri and Todd Young of Indiana flipped their position and joined the effort to stop it from coming up for a vote.
The shift brought about a 50-50 tie, which was broken late Wednesday in favor of Republican leadership by Vice President JD Vance, in his role as president of the Senate.
Mr. Hawley and Mr. Young were part of a group of five Republicans who last week joined all Democrats in supporting the measure aiming to curb the president’s war powers......
Democrats argued that the U.S. military remained involved, and they insisted that congressional oversight was required.
“There are U.S. military seizing Venezuelan oil every day. There’s U.S. military striking Venezuelans on boats in the water every day. We’re not occupying their country without the military,” Mr. Kaine said. “We just went in and deposed their government. We are controlling who governs the country. We are controlling when Venezuelans are entitled to have elections again. We’re controlling their chief economic asset. That’s all being done by the U.S. military.”
Republican leaders were able to garner enough support for their procedural maneuver to kill the resolution after Senators Josh Hawley of Missouri and Todd Young of Indiana flipped their position and joined the effort to stop it from coming up for a vote.
The shift brought about a 50-50 tie, which was broken late Wednesday in favor of Republican leadership by Vice President JD Vance, in his role as president of the Senate.
Mr. Hawley and Mr. Young were part of a group of five Republicans who last week joined all Democrats in supporting the measure aiming to curb the president’s war powers......
Democrats argued that the U.S. military remained involved, and they insisted that congressional oversight was required.
“There are U.S. military seizing Venezuelan oil every day. There’s U.S. military striking Venezuelans on boats in the water every day. We’re not occupying their country without the military,” Mr. Kaine said. “We just went in and deposed their government. We are controlling who governs the country. We are controlling when Venezuelans are entitled to have elections again. We’re controlling their chief economic asset. That’s all being done by the U.S. military.”
January 15, 2026
https://x.com/JoyceWhiteVance/status/2011585351014654023
Republicans Block Effort to Check Trump's Power in Venezuela
Source: New York Times (gift link)
The Senate on Wednesday blocked a resolution that sought to force President Trump to seek congressional approval for any U.S. military action related to Venezuela.
Republican leaders were able to garner enough support for their procedural maneuver to kill the resolution after Senators Josh Hawley of Missouri and Todd Young of Indiana flipped their position and joined the effort to stop it from coming up for a vote.
The shift brought about a 50-50 tie, which was broken late Wednesday in favor of Republican leadership by Vice President JD Vance, in his role as president of the Senate.
Mr. Hawley and Mr. Young were part of a group of five Republicans who last week joined all Democrats in supporting the measure aiming to curb the president’s war powers......
Democrats argued that the U.S. military remained involved, and they insisted that congressional oversight was required.
“There are U.S. military seizing Venezuelan oil every day. There’s U.S. military striking Venezuelans on boats in the water every day. We’re not occupying their country without the military,” Mr. Kaine said. “We just went in and deposed their government. We are controlling who governs the country. We are controlling when Venezuelans are entitled to have elections again. We’re controlling their chief economic asset. That’s all being done by the U.S. military.”
Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/us/politics/trump-venezuela-war-powers-vote.html?unlocked_article_code=1.EVA.VsPJ.4_Z4II5f0UFi&smid=nytcore-ios-share
https://x.com/JoyceWhiteVance/status/2011585351014654023
January 15, 2026
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/11/10/justice-department-hiring-stalled/
Justice Department struggles as thousands exit -- and few are replaced
The Justice Department has lost thousands of experienced attorneys and backfilled a fraction of the open jobs, in part because of a lack of qualified candidates.
Justice Department struggles as thousands exit – and few are replaced go.shr.lc/4nO65gT
— Anne Grete (GoogeliArt) 🦋💙PD (@googeliart.bsky.social) 2025-11-10T21:24:03.893Z
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/11/10/justice-department-hiring-stalled/
The Justice Department has lost thousands of experienced attorneys since the start of the Trump administration and has backfilled a fraction of the open jobs, with the process snarled by a lack of qualified candidates, bureaucratic delays and hiring freezes, according to people familiar with hirings in the department.
Last year, roughly 10,000 attorneys worked across the Justice Department and its components, including the FBI. Justice Connection, an advocacy group that has been tracking departures, estimates that around 5,500 people — not all of them attorneys — have quit the department, been fired or taken a buyout offered by the Trump administration.....
Multiple people familiar with the student bodies at top-ranked law schools and the department’s hiring process said the share of recent graduates across the political spectrum who are applying for jobs at the Justice Department has plummeted. The department has had difficulty finding qualified candidates for open slots, according to more than a half-dozen people familiar with the process, several of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment on the record.
Across the country, U.S. attorneys’ offices have experienced higher turnovers than they typically see during a change in administrations. In August, Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for D.C., said on Fox News that her office was down 90 prosecutors and told lawyers to email her if they wanted a job......
The process of filling career positions is distinct from installing political appointees. Career jobs are governed by federal regulations intended to ensure that politics do not play a role in who is hired. The Trump administration has pushed out many of the Justice Department’s top-ranking career officials and replaced them with political appointees. Many of these appointees came from Republican state solicitors general offices and conservative legal groups. The department has relied on them to argue some of its most high-profile and controversial cases in court......
The vast majority of the 600 employees in the Civil Rights Division, for example, have left. The division has refilled a dozen or so of those career positions, despite its chief, Harmeet K. Dhillon, publicly touting the flood of applications she has been receiving......
Under Attorney General Pam Bondi, however, top Justice Department officials have pushed out veteran prosecutors across the department who worked on cases during the Biden administration that they viewed as anti-Trump. Employees who prosecuted the hundreds of cases against the rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, have been especially targeted. Others were given no explanation as to why they were fired. The Washington Post has reported that other prosecutors have been ousted after they refused to bring cases to grand juries that they believed had insufficient evidence......
The draw of the Justice Department has long been public service and job security. The widespread firings have undermined the job security belief. At the same time, some potential hires fear they could be put in compromising positions in which they would be forced to bring cases they felt would be unethical to present to a grand jury.
Last year, roughly 10,000 attorneys worked across the Justice Department and its components, including the FBI. Justice Connection, an advocacy group that has been tracking departures, estimates that around 5,500 people — not all of them attorneys — have quit the department, been fired or taken a buyout offered by the Trump administration.....
Multiple people familiar with the student bodies at top-ranked law schools and the department’s hiring process said the share of recent graduates across the political spectrum who are applying for jobs at the Justice Department has plummeted. The department has had difficulty finding qualified candidates for open slots, according to more than a half-dozen people familiar with the process, several of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment on the record.
Across the country, U.S. attorneys’ offices have experienced higher turnovers than they typically see during a change in administrations. In August, Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for D.C., said on Fox News that her office was down 90 prosecutors and told lawyers to email her if they wanted a job......
The process of filling career positions is distinct from installing political appointees. Career jobs are governed by federal regulations intended to ensure that politics do not play a role in who is hired. The Trump administration has pushed out many of the Justice Department’s top-ranking career officials and replaced them with political appointees. Many of these appointees came from Republican state solicitors general offices and conservative legal groups. The department has relied on them to argue some of its most high-profile and controversial cases in court......
The vast majority of the 600 employees in the Civil Rights Division, for example, have left. The division has refilled a dozen or so of those career positions, despite its chief, Harmeet K. Dhillon, publicly touting the flood of applications she has been receiving......
Under Attorney General Pam Bondi, however, top Justice Department officials have pushed out veteran prosecutors across the department who worked on cases during the Biden administration that they viewed as anti-Trump. Employees who prosecuted the hundreds of cases against the rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, have been especially targeted. Others were given no explanation as to why they were fired. The Washington Post has reported that other prosecutors have been ousted after they refused to bring cases to grand juries that they believed had insufficient evidence......
The draw of the Justice Department has long been public service and job security. The widespread firings have undermined the job security belief. At the same time, some potential hires fear they could be put in compromising positions in which they would be forced to bring cases they felt would be unethical to present to a grand jury.
January 14, 2026
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/kristi-noem-impeached-impeachment-house-democrats
MaddowBlog-DHS' Noem faces new articles of impeachment backed by dozens of House Democrats
The effort to hold the Homeland Security secretary to account probably won’t pass, but that doesn’t make it irrelevant.
The impeachment effort targeting Kristi Noem almost certainly won’t succeed, at least not anytime soon, but it’s starting with a heck of a lot more congressional support than the usual impeachment resolutions. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
— Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2026-01-14T19:34:38.227Z
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/kristi-noem-impeached-impeachment-house-democrats
Last week, Democratic Rep. Robin Kelly of Illinois announced plans to file articles of impeachment against Noem. This week, she followed through — along with quite a few of her colleagues. HuffPost reported:
“Secretary Noem has called my impeachment effort ‘silly,’” Kelly told reporters. “I want to tell her right now, ‘Secretary Noem, you have violated your oath of office, and there will be consequences. I am watching you. Members of Congress are watching you. The American people, most importantly, are watching you.’”
....The articles of impeachment against Noem, however, are quantitatively different: Kelly’s resolution was introduced with the support of 69 House Democrats, which represents roughly a third of the party’s conference in the chamber, and there’s no reason to assume that total won’t grow.....
But there’s certainly symbolic value in the Democratic effort, which is being used to draw attention to the failures and outrages at the Department of Homeland Security. Watch this space.
With the support of nearly 70 colleagues, Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) on Wednesday introduced three articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
The first accuses Noem of obstruction of Congress, for denying lawmakers access to Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities to provide oversight. The second accuses her of violating public trust, for directing DHS agents to arrest people without warrants and for ignoring due process. The third accuses her of self-dealing, for secretly steering a federal contract to a firm run by her friend.
“Secretary Noem has called my impeachment effort ‘silly,’” Kelly told reporters. “I want to tell her right now, ‘Secretary Noem, you have violated your oath of office, and there will be consequences. I am watching you. Members of Congress are watching you. The American people, most importantly, are watching you.’”
Rep. Kelly: Secretary Noem, you have violated your oath of office. And there will be consequences.
— FactPost (@factpostnews.bsky.social) 2026-01-14T16:58:52.736519087Z
....The articles of impeachment against Noem, however, are quantitatively different: Kelly’s resolution was introduced with the support of 69 House Democrats, which represents roughly a third of the party’s conference in the chamber, and there’s no reason to assume that total won’t grow.....
But there’s certainly symbolic value in the Democratic effort, which is being used to draw attention to the failures and outrages at the Department of Homeland Security. Watch this space.
January 14, 2026
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/resignations-justice-department-minneapolis-more-common
MaddowBlog-In Trump's Justice Department, resignations, once rare, are suddenly much more common
Prosecutors hardly ever walk away from their sought-after DOJ jobs in protest — but that’s changing in a hurry.
It used to be quite rare to see federal prosecutors resign in large numbers, exiting the Justice Department in protest.
— Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2026-01-14T18:18:19.248Z
But as Trump-era abuses become common, it’s clearly not rare anymore. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/resignations-justice-department-minneapolis-more-common
Predictably, problems emerged shortly thereafter. The Justice Department division that typically handles investigations of police shootings, for example, was reportedly excluded from the probe, The Washington Post reported. Around the same time, there was related reporting to suggest the Trump administration’s investigatory focus was on the victim, rather than the shooter.
It’s against this backdrop that The New York Times reported:
The departure of Thompson and several of his colleagues will ironically undermine the Minnesota fraud investigation that the White House claims to care so much about.
These highly sought-after positions are career highlights for those who reach such prosecutorial heights. It’s not at all common for attorneys to walk away from these jobs in protest.....
The more common these resignations become, the clearer it becomes that the DOJ is an institution in crisis and apparently coming apart at the seams
It’s against this backdrop that The New York Times reported:
Six federal prosecutors in Minnesota resigned on Tuesday over the Justice Department’s push to investigate the widow of a woman killed by an ICE agent and the department’s reluctance to investigate the shooter, according to people with knowledge of their decision.
Joseph H. Thompson, who was second in command at the U.S. attorney’s office and oversaw a sprawling fraud investigation that has roiled Minnesota’s political landscape, was among those who quit on Tuesday, according to three people with knowledge of the decision.
The departure of Thompson and several of his colleagues will ironically undermine the Minnesota fraud investigation that the White House claims to care so much about.
These highly sought-after positions are career highlights for those who reach such prosecutorial heights. It’s not at all common for attorneys to walk away from these jobs in protest.....
The more common these resignations become, the clearer it becomes that the DOJ is an institution in crisis and apparently coming apart at the seams
January 14, 2026
Rene Good's family hires law firm that represented George Floyd's family
This lawsuit will be fun to watch
https://virginiatimesnow.com/renee-good-family-hires-george-floyd-law-firm/
The family of Renee Nicole Macklin Good has retained attorneys to conduct a civil investigation into her fatal shooting by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer during a federal operation in Minneapolis, the legal firm Romanucci & Blandin said Wednesday.
Romanucci & Blandin and attorney Antonio Romanucci—a legal firm and lawyer known for representing George Floyd’s family in the civil case that ended in a landmark settlement—signaling.
In a statement from Romanucci & Blandin, the family called for calm in Minneapolis and urged the public not to turn Good’s death into a political fight. The lawyers said that the family wants Good to be remembered with a simple message: “Be Good.” They also stated that they will disclose information from their investigation as it is developed , describing transparency as essential.
Attorney Antonio M. Romanucci, the firm’s founding partner, said the team represents Good’s partner, Becca Good, along with her parents, Tim and Donna Ganger, and her siblings. The attorneys said Minneapolis lawyer Kevin Riach is serving as co-counsel.
The legal team’s account describes what it said occurred on Jan. 7, 2026, along Portland Avenue between East 33rd and 34th streets. The attorneys said Good, 37, and her partner were driving home after dropping off their 6-year-old child at school when they saw federal agents in their neighborhood and stopped to observe. The attorneys said videos show Good gesturing for other vehicles to pass, as agents moved toward her car.
Romanucci & Blandin and attorney Antonio Romanucci—a legal firm and lawyer known for representing George Floyd’s family in the civil case that ended in a landmark settlement—signaling.
In a statement from Romanucci & Blandin, the family called for calm in Minneapolis and urged the public not to turn Good’s death into a political fight. The lawyers said that the family wants Good to be remembered with a simple message: “Be Good.” They also stated that they will disclose information from their investigation as it is developed , describing transparency as essential.
Attorney Antonio M. Romanucci, the firm’s founding partner, said the team represents Good’s partner, Becca Good, along with her parents, Tim and Donna Ganger, and her siblings. The attorneys said Minneapolis lawyer Kevin Riach is serving as co-counsel.
The legal team’s account describes what it said occurred on Jan. 7, 2026, along Portland Avenue between East 33rd and 34th streets. The attorneys said Good, 37, and her partner were driving home after dropping off their 6-year-old child at school when they saw federal agents in their neighborhood and stopped to observe. The attorneys said videos show Good gesturing for other vehicles to pass, as agents moved toward her car.
January 14, 2026
https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house/deadline-legal-blog/powell-doj-probe-supreme-court-federal-reserve-lisa-cook
Deadline Legal Blog-Powell probe comes ahead of SCOTUS hearing on Trump's Federal Reserve firing power
The high court has signaled it wants to protect the Fed’s independence more than that of other federal agencies.
Powell probe comes ahead of SCOTUS hearing on Trump’s Federal Reserve firing power www.ms.now/deadline-whi...
— MS NOW (@ms.now) 2026-01-12T18:12:00.341Z
https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house/deadline-legal-blog/powell-doj-probe-supreme-court-federal-reserve-lisa-cook
News that the Justice Department is investigating Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell comes just ahead of a Supreme Court hearing over President Donald Trump’s bid to fire Lisa Cook from the Fed’s Board of Governors.
While the high court’s Republican-appointed majority has broadly blessed Trump’s firing powers and doesn’t seem to care much for independent federal agencies in general, the court has nonetheless signaled it wants to insulate the Fed from Trump’s consolidation of agency power. Indeed, the court let Cook stay on the board pending the outcome of the litigation, which the court hasn’t allowed for many other agency members.
Against that backdrop, news of the Powell probe might not help the Trump administration in the Cook case. It’s unclear whether the new investigation will come up directly in the appeal, but the addition of further apparent evidence that the administration is weaponizing the DOJ to carry out the president’s policy goals could make the high court even more likely to take steps to secure the central bank’s independence. .....
In the Cook case, however, Trump has claimed he has cause to fire her over alleged mortgage fraud that purportedly took place prior to her Senate confirmation to the board, and the legal fight is over the sufficiency of that alleged cause and related issues. The administration argues that courts can’t even review the president’s assertion of cause, while Cook argues that unproven claims over alleged actions that predate her taking office are insufficient. She argues that Trump’s “insistence that his removals are not subject to judicial scrutiny would eviscerate Congress’s choice to safeguard the Board’s independence and protect Board governors from arbitrary removals.”
Again, the Powell investigation might not surface formally at all at the Cook hearing, and perhaps the court was already determined to safeguard Fed independence — at least more than other agencies.
But the court that has gone out of its way to protect the Fed is surely aware of the news. And to the extent that it agrees with Powell’s pretextual view of the probe, that would only seem to strengthen the court’s apparent inclination to protect the Fed’s independence.
While the high court’s Republican-appointed majority has broadly blessed Trump’s firing powers and doesn’t seem to care much for independent federal agencies in general, the court has nonetheless signaled it wants to insulate the Fed from Trump’s consolidation of agency power. Indeed, the court let Cook stay on the board pending the outcome of the litigation, which the court hasn’t allowed for many other agency members.
Against that backdrop, news of the Powell probe might not help the Trump administration in the Cook case. It’s unclear whether the new investigation will come up directly in the appeal, but the addition of further apparent evidence that the administration is weaponizing the DOJ to carry out the president’s policy goals could make the high court even more likely to take steps to secure the central bank’s independence. .....
In the Cook case, however, Trump has claimed he has cause to fire her over alleged mortgage fraud that purportedly took place prior to her Senate confirmation to the board, and the legal fight is over the sufficiency of that alleged cause and related issues. The administration argues that courts can’t even review the president’s assertion of cause, while Cook argues that unproven claims over alleged actions that predate her taking office are insufficient. She argues that Trump’s “insistence that his removals are not subject to judicial scrutiny would eviscerate Congress’s choice to safeguard the Board’s independence and protect Board governors from arbitrary removals.”
Again, the Powell investigation might not surface formally at all at the Cook hearing, and perhaps the court was already determined to safeguard Fed independence — at least more than other agencies.
But the court that has gone out of its way to protect the Fed is surely aware of the news. And to the extent that it agrees with Powell’s pretextual view of the probe, that would only seem to strengthen the court’s apparent inclination to protect the Fed’s independence.
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