These Republicans Are Breaking With Trump On Jerome Powell Probe
Topline
Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., said Wednesday he does not believe Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell committed a crime during his congressional testimony last year—the latest Republican to question the merits of the Justice Department’s probe into Powell, who has been one of the top targets of criticism and ridicule from President Donald Trump.
Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) at the U.S. Capitol on January 30, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
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Key Facts
Scott, who chairs the Senate Banking Committee, told Fox Business he believes Powell “made a gross error in judgment” and “was not prepared for that hearing,” but said he does not believe his conduct was criminal.
The Justice Department has an open criminal probe into whether Powell lied when he was questioned about renovations to the Federal Reserve headquarters during the hearing last year.
Scott’s comments Wednesday are his first public statements on the Powell investigation.
The probe threatens to derail President Donald Trump’s new pick for Fed chair, Kevin Warsh, as Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., has said he would block Warsh’s nomination if the Justice Department doesn’t drop its investigation of Powell.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
