NPR Changes Investigation Language to 'Criminal' to Reflect DOJ's Decision

NPR made significant changes to an article about the Justice Department dropping its investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The most notable edit is the addition of the word 'criminal' to describe the investigation, changing 'Justice Department is dropping its investigation of Fed Chair Jerome Powell' to 'Justice Department is dropping its criminal investigation of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.' This change reflects the DOJ's decision to label the investigation as criminal, indicating a more serious and potentially severe outcome for Powell. The change matters to readers because it implies a more serious and formal process, potentially affecting the public's perception of the investigation's significance and implications. The edit also highlights the gravity of the situation, suggesting that the DOJ has taken a more serious stance on the matter.

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Justice Department drops inquiry into Fed Chair Jerome Powell +649 -185
− By NPR Washington Desk President Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell tour the Federal Reserve's $2.5 billion headquarters renovation project on July 24, 2025.
+ By NPR Washington Desk , Maria Aspan President Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell tour the Fed's $2.5 billion headquarters renovation project on July 24, 2025.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption The U.S.
− Justice Department is dropping its investigation of Fed Chair Jerome Powell, paving the way for the Senate to confirm Kevin Warsh, the president's nominee to head the central bank.
+ Justice Department is dropping its criminal investigation of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, paving the way for the Senate to confirm Kevin Warsh, the president's nominee to head the central bank.
− "This morning the Inspector General for the Federal Reserve has been asked to scrutinize the building costs overruns – in the billions of dollars – that have been borne by taxpayers," U.S.
+ The decision marks a reversal for Jeanine Pirro, the U.S.
− Attorney for D.C.
+ attorney for the District of Columbia, who had vowed to continue the probe into cost overruns during the renovation of two Fed buildings, even after a judge had blocked the investigation. Pirro said she would instead ask the Fed's inspector general to look into the cost overruns, which have risen from $1.9 billion to $2.5 billion in recent years.
− Jeanine Pirro said in a post on X.
+ The central bank has attributed the higher costs to unexpected developments like excess lead, asbestos and inflation, which has raised the cost of building projects nationwide. "This morning the Inspector General for the Federal Reserve has been asked to scrutinize the building costs overruns," Pirro said in a post on X.
− "Accordingly, I have directed my office to close our investigation as the IG undertakes this inquiry." At issue is a renovation project at the Fed's Washington headquarters.
+ "Accordingly, I have directed my office to close our investigation as the IG undertakes this inquiry." The Fed's inspector general has reviewed the construction project twice.
− The Fed's inspector general has reviewed the construction project twice.
It found no wrongdoing.
− The move paves the way for the Senate to confirm Warsh, Trump's nominee to head the Fed.
+ Pirro's probe came after President Trump had repeatedly attacked the Fed and Powell for not raising interest rates more aggressively.
− Sen.
+ Trump has blasted the renovations, verbally sparring with Powell during a visit to the site. In March, a federal judge put the brakes on the DOJ, saying its criminal investigation was part of an improper campaign by the Trump administration to pressure the central bank into cutting rates.
− Thom Tillis, R-N.C., had threatened to block the nomination unless the Justice Department dropped the investigation into Powell.
+ But Pirro had vowed to appeal that decision.
− This is a developing story and will be updated Sponsor Message Become an NPR sponsor
+ Her probe has drawn widespread criticism. Powell has called it a pretext for the White House's efforts to pressure the Fed into lowering interest rates, and a federal judge has agreed, criticized the investigation as an unjustified act of intimidation. Earlier this year, Trump nominated former Fed governor Warsh to succeed Powell, whose term as Fed chair is due to expire next month. But Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., had threatened to block the nomination unless the Justice Department dropped the investigation into the Fed. "If we put everybody in prison in federal government that had had a budget go over, we'd have to reserve an area roughly the size of Texas for a penal colony," Tillis said earlier this week, at a Senate Banking Committee confirmation hearing for Warsh. Now Pirro's move appears to address Tillis' concerns, and pave the way for the Senate to confirm Warsh. But questions over Powell's future — and the overall shape of the Fed — remain. Powell has not said whether he will step down from the Fed's board, which is the group that collectively decides on interest rates. His term as board member runs until 2028. Powell has said he would make that decision based on what he thinks is in the best interest of the institution and the people the Fed serves. He may disclose more next week, when the Fed meets. If Powell does step down from the board when his term as chair ends, it would give Trump the chance to appoint another Fed governor who may be more willing to push for the aggressive interest rate cuts the president wants. However, if Powell does choose to remain on the Fed's board once his term as chair expires, he will still get a vote on interest rates. All of this Fed succession drama comes at a pivotal time for the global economy. The war with Iran has led oil prices and inflation to spike not only in the U.S but also across the world. The Fed usually fights inflation by keeping rates higher — meaning that under normal circumstances, it would be less likely to undertake the rate cuts Trump has pushed for. Sponsor Message Become an NPR sponsor