Republican Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna formally asked the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell for possible perjury. She claims Powell gave false statements under oath during his recent testimony about the $2.5 billion renovation of the Federal Reserve’s headquarters, the Eccles Building.
During a Senate hearing on June 25, Powell said that the renovation didn’t include luxury upgrades like a VIP dining room, marble finishes, special elevators, water features, or a rooftop garden. However, Rep. Luna says official documents from the Federal Reserve’s final plans contradict this. According to those plans, the renovation does include many of those luxury features—except for beehives, which Powell also mentioned.
Powell also claimed the building had never undergone a serious renovation before. Luna disputes this, pointing to a major renovation that happened between 1999 and 2003. That project reportedly included roof replacement, system upgrades, and full interior and courtyard refurbishments.
In addition, Luna cited a letter from former White House budget chief Russell Vought, which said the renovation’s cost increase from $1.9 billion to $2.5 billion was “minor.” But documents reviewed by Congress suggest the changes were significant and not just simplifications, as Powell had claimed.
Luna’s referral is based on two U.S. laws:
18 U.S.C. § 1621, which deals with perjury under oath, and
18 U.S.C. § 1001, which penalizes false statements to federal officials.
This move comes as tensions grow between Trump-aligned Republicans and the Federal Reserve. Powell, whose term ends in May 2026, has faced criticism from some GOP members over his monetary policy decisions. Powell has denied any wrongdoing and ordered an internal review. As of July 22, the Department of Justice has not announced whether it will open a formal investigation.
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