OPINION:
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell publicly criticized the grand jury subpoenas that the Fed (or he) received regarding his congressional testimony about the renovation costs of the Fed buildings (“Top central bankers express ‘full solidarity’ with Fed Chair Powell in clash with Trump,” Web, Jan. 13).
Mr. Powell has said the subpoenas were politically motivated, yet he unjustifiably refuses to release them publicly. No law or regulation prohibits a subpoena recipient from releasing or discussing the subpoenas. (Mr. Powell has already done the latter.)
Are the subpoenas for documents, testimony or both? What is the return date? Is Mr. Powell even the target of a criminal investigation? If so, he would be so notified by the U.S. attorney.
The public deserves to see these subpoenas. They would answer these and other questions about the investigation.
PAUL KAMENAR
Counsel, National Legal and Policy Center
Chevy Chase, Maryland
Please read our comment policy before commenting.