1. United States
2. Idaho
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to take immediate action to protect the independence of the Federal Reserve and to hold President Trump accountable for his unprecedented attempts to weaponize the Justice Department against Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The criminal investigation into the Federal Reserve's $2.5 billion headquarters renovation represents a dangerous escalation in the administration's year-long pressure campaign to force Powell to cut interest rates according to the president's political preferences rather than sound economic analysis. On Sunday night, Powell issued an extraordinary video statement characterizing the investigation as a "pretext" and warning that "the threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the President." This is not merely a policy disagreement. The Federal Reserve's independence is fundamental to economic stability and public trust in our financial system. When monetary policy becomes subject to political intimidation, it undermines the credibility that keeps inflation expectations anchored and markets functioning. Powell has made clear that the central question is "whether the Fed will be able to continue to set interest rates based on evidence and economic conditions—or whether instead monetary policy will be directed by political pressure or intimidation." The administration's tactics extend beyond Powell. Trump has attempted to remove Fed Governor Lisa Cook, appointed by President Biden, with the Supreme Court scheduled to hear arguments this month on whether the president has that authority. These actions collectively represent an assault on an institution designed to operate independently precisely to protect it from short-term political manipulation. I urge you to publicly defend the Federal Reserve's independence, demand that the Justice Department end this politically motivated investigation, and support impeachment proceedings against President Trump for abuse of power. The integrity of our economic institutions depends on your willingness to act.