To Whom it May Concern: Trump's tariff letters cause a stir among world leaders
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Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Powell asks watchdog to probe Fed HQ renovations as Trump pressure grows
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell told lawmakers on Monday that he has asked the central bank's watchdog to scrutinize renovations of the Fed's headquarters, in response to growing criticism from the Trump administration of the plan. Powell called on the Fed's inspector-general, Michael Horowitz, to examine the project's cost, which has ballooned to $2.5 billion, as well as any other aspect he deems appropriate, according to a person familiar with the request. The request was referenced in a letter, first reported by POLITICO, that Powell sent to Senate Banking Chair Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), the top Democrat on the committee. Speculation has mounted that President Donald Trump, who has clashed with Powell for refusing to cut interest rates, might try to use the renovations to remove the Fed chief 'for cause,' as allowed by statute. Still, it is unclear what type of behavior would fall under that standard. It has generally been interpreted to mean that the president cannot fire Fed board members over policy disagreements, and the Supreme Court signaled in a recent order that it might block a move to remove the Fed chair without cause. Horowitz, who was appointed by Powell last month, was previously the inspector general for the Justice Department, where he won praise from Trump and his supporters for uncovering problems in the FBI's handling of the investigation into potential collusion between Trump's 2016 campaign and Russia. Powell wrote in the letter that the IG has had 'full access to project information on costs, contracts, schedules, and expenditures and receives monthly reports on the construction program.' 'The Board's IG conducted an audit in 2021 to assess the Board's process for planning and managing multiple renovation projects as well as procuring services under various renovation-related contracts,' he added. 'I have asked the Board's IG to take a fresh look at the project.' A spokesperson for Scott said the Banking chair looks forward to receiving more information about 'the costly renovations at the Fed's headquarters.' 'Chairman Scott has continued to call for increased transparency and accountability at the Federal Reserve, and this letter is consistent with improving the communication and transparency he is seeking,' a spokesperson for the senator said in a statement to POLITICO. Axios earlier reported news of Powell's request to the IG. The headquarters renovation, which has been underway for multiple years, is a new front in the administration's criticism of the Fed. Powell was asked at a hearing last month by Scott about the project after a New York Post article characterized it as akin to the 'Palace of Versailles,' a characterization the Fed chief disputed. White House Budget Director Russ Vought — along with the National Capital Planning Commission — is investigating Powell over both the testimony he provided to Congress and questions about whether the construction project adhered to the National Capital Planning Act. Powell wrote in his letter that the Fed chose to consult with NCPC but is not subject to its jurisdiction. He also said the project has changed from its original proposal. 'As is to be expected in the major renovation of nearly 100-year-old historic buildings, the Board's designs have continued to evolve over the course of the project, and some features of the buildings, including rooftop spaces and new water features on the building grounds, were scaled back or eliminated as the project moved forward,' Powell said in the letter. 'These changes simplified the project and reduced the likelihood of further delays and cost overruns. None of them added cost to the project. We do not consider these changes to be substantial.' National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said on ABC News on Sunday that the question of whether Trump can fire the Fed chair is 'a thing that's being looked into.' Hassett is one of four candidates to replace Powell when his term ends next year, according to people familiar with the administration's deliberations.
Fox News
19 minutes ago
- Fox News
Obama tells Democrat big wigs to 'toughen up,' start backing candidates that can actually win
Former President Barack Obama had blunt words for Democratic Party donors, telling them at a Friday fundraiser to "toughen up" and "stop looking for a quick fix" after the Democratic Party became locked out of power following the 2024 election cycle. "I think it's going to require a little bit less navel-gazing and a little less whining and being in fetal positions. And it's going to require Democrats to just toughen up," Obama said at the fundraiser, according to excerpts obtained by CNN. "Don't tell me you're a Democrat, but you're kind of disappointed right now, so you're not doing anything. No, now is exactly the time that you get in there and do something." Obama is not alone in urging his fellow Democratic colleagues to take a more aggressive approach following the GOP's momentum in 2024. The former president articulated that his view of becoming more aggressive and toughening up means standing up for policies and candidates that are unpopular, or that may make lawmakers feel uncomfortable, but in the end have the best chance to deliver. "Don't say that you care deeply about free speech, and then you're quiet. No, you stand up for free speech when it's hard. When somebody says something that you don't like, but you still say, 'You know what? That person has the right to speak.' … What's needed now is courage," Obama added in his remarks at the fundraiser, which drew in $2.5 million and was hosted by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and his wife, Tammy Murphy, at their home. "Stop looking for the quick fix," he added. "Stop looking for the messiah. You have great candidates running races right now. Support those candidates." The former president pointed particularly at the upcoming elections in New Jersey and Virginia. Later this year, Virginia will face a major gubernatorial battle between incumbent GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin's Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and former long-time Virginia Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va. In New Jersey, Democrat Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who was reportedly in attendance at the Friday fundraiser, is running for her state's open gubernatorial seat against GOP candidate Jack Ciattarelli. Both states will also hold new state House elections and a slate of other local elections. In Virginia, there will also be a special election this year to replace the late Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va. Amid his remarks, Obama described Spanberger and Sherrill as "powerful spokespersons for a pragmatic, commonsense desire to help people and who both have remarkable track records of service." "Stop looking for the quick fix. Stop looking for the messiah. You have great candidates running races right now. Support those candidates." - former President Barack Obama "The most important thing you can do right now is to help the team, our candidate to win," he said. "And we've got to start building up our coffers in the DNC." Obama acknowledged the party's increasing propensity to nominate progressive, far-left candidates, such as the recent choice of Zohran Mamdani over former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in the New York City mayoral race, but argued that what they are promoting and what centrist Democrats are pushing are not mutually exclusive. "There's been, I gather, some argument between the left of the party and people who are promoting the quote-unquote abundance agenda. Listen, those things are not contradictory. You want to deliver for people and make their lives better? You got to figure out how to do it," Obama said Friday. "I don't care how much you love working people. They can't afford a house because all the rules in your state make it prohibitive to build. And zoning prevents multifamily structures because of NIMBY," he added, referring to "not in my backyard" views by residents who oppose development in their neighborhoods. "I don't want to know your ideology, because you can't build anything. It does not matter." Obama said that what was being asked of his fellow Democratic Party leaders was to "make some effort to stand up" for what they believe is right, even if it makes them a "little bit uncomfortable." Fox News Digital reached out to Obama's office for comment but did not receive an immediate response.
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
5 charged in assault that left a transgender girl with a broken jaw in D.C. juvenile detention center
A transgender girl housed in a male unit at Washington, D.C.'s Youth Services Center was hospitalized with a broken jaw after a fight last week that also injured another teen, D.C.'s NBC affiliate WRC reports. Keep up with the latest in + news and politics. The two separate fights broke out on July 7 at the Northeast D.C. juvenile detention facility, which was overcapacity by 17 people that day and remains so as of Monday, according to government data. Five teens have been charged in connection with the assault involving the transgender girl, the station reports. Related: Trump will ban trans women from women's prisons by removing trans inmates from rape protections The Youth Services Center is the District's secure detention facility for male and female youth held by court order from the D.C. Superior Court's Family Court Division. The 88-bed facility provides 24-hour care, custody, and supervision, housing youth awaiting court proceedings, those adjudicated, and those pending further court action, as well as youth charged as adults, according to the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services. It remains unclear whether DYRS has a policy for housing transgender youth in juvenile detention. The Advocate has contacted DYRS, the office of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, and the office of Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Lindsey Appiah for comment. This story is developing. This article originally appeared on Advocate: 5 charged in assault that left a transgender girl with a broken jaw in D.C. juvenile detention center Trump will ban trans women from women's prisons by removing trans inmates from rape protections
