Florida Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna announced Thursday she will criminally refer Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to the Department of Justice for alleged perjury regarding the Fed's $2.5 billion headquarters renovation.
"I am criminally referring Jerome Powell to the DOJ to investigate perjury regarding his crazy $2.5BN building," Luna wrote on X, making her the first member of Congress to seek criminal charges against the Fed chairman over the renovation.
I am criminally referring Jerome Powell to the DOJ to investigate perjury regarding his crazy $2.5BN building.
— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) July 17, 2025
The referral stems from Powell's June 25 Senate Banking Committee testimony, where he disputed claims about expensive features in the renovation project. Powell told lawmakers there would be no "VIP dining room," "new marble," "special elevators," or "roof terrace gardens" - contradicting elements that appeared in the original 2021 planning documents submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission.
The Fed's renovation costs jumped from an initial $1.9 billion estimate to $2.5 billion, prompting criticism from Trump administration officials who argue Powell either misled Congress or violated federal planning requirements by changing approved designs without reauthorization.
Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought has led the administration's criticism, claiming Powell "grossly mismanaged" the project and violated the National Capital Planning Act. The administration argues this misconduct could justify Powell's removal "for cause" - the only legal way to fire a Fed chair before their term ends.
Powell defended his testimony in a response letter, explaining that controversial features were eliminated after initial planning to "simplify construction and reduce the likelihood of further delays and cost increases." The Fed says it voluntarily worked with the planning commission but isn't legally required to seek approval for design changes it considers minor.
Criminal referrals are formal requests for a DOJ investigation but don't require the department to pursue charges. The Justice Department hasn't indicated whether it will investigate Luna's allegations.
The building controversy marks another front in President Trump's pressure campaign against Powell, whose Federal Reserve has kept interest rates steady despite Trump's calls for cuts. With Powell's term running through May 2026, the renovation has given the administration new ammunition against the Fed chairman.
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