The Beat with Ari Melber

Episode: DOJ Opens Inquiry into Fed Chair Powell
Date: January 13, 2026

Episode Overview

In this compelling episode, Ari Melber investigates the Trump administration’s Department of Justice (DOJ) launching a criminal inquiry into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell—a move widely seen as unprecedented and politically motivated. The episode explores the context, political fallout, and reactions from both sides of the aisle, with a particular focus on the independence of the Federal Reserve, intensifying government overreach under Trump’s leadership, and the mounting pushback from lawmakers, Wall Street insiders, and the public. Melber engages with guests Emily Bazelon and Molly Zhang for analysis and reaction, while also connecting the Powell probe to broader patterns of political retribution and erosion of institutional norms.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The DOJ Probe of Jerome Powell: Context & Pretext

• DOJ’s Actions: The Trump DOJ has opened a criminal investigation into Fed Chair Powell, following previous probes and indictments against Trump critics such as James Comey and NY Attorney General Letitia James.
• Allegations: The accusations are deemed "comically thin," focusing on supposed inaccuracy in Congressional testimony concerning Federal Reserve building renovations (01:01–04:31).
• Powell’s Response: Released an unusually direct video statement, rejecting the charges as politically motivated.
  • Quote
    “Public service sometimes requires standing firm in the face of threats. I will continue to do the job the Senate confirmed me to do with integrity and a commitment to serving the American people.”
    — Jerome Powell (read by Ari Melber, 02:44)

2. Political Retaliation and Undermining Independence

• Pattern of Retaliation: Melber details how the Powell inquiry fits a pattern of Trump using DOJ as a tool against perceived opponents—regardless of their party or background (03:00-04:31).
• Role of Loyalists: Trump appointee Jeanine Pirro oversees the case; aide Bill Pulte acts as a public attack dog and brags about influencing Fed leadership transitions (05:00–06:39).
  • Melber’s Commentary
    “Trump's admitted abuse of federal probes against others adds to that picture and how this probe may be tainted by Trump's political appointee, Jeanine Pirro, former Fox host overseeing it.” (04:31)

3. Unprecedented Backlash from Wall Street & Republican Lawmakers

• Widespread Outrage: The inquiry into Powell, a Trump-appointed and later Biden-renewed official, is seen as crossing a red line even among elite Republican and Wall Street circles (06:47–11:08).
• Sen. Thom Tillis Responds: Vows to block further Fed nominees until the DOJ probe ends, framing it as an abuse intended to destroy Fed independence (09:00).
  • Quote
    “We're not gonna let you put anybody on here if you keep up with this B.S.”
    — Ari Melber paraphrasing Sen. Tillis (09:00)

4. Historical Echoes and Institutional Crisis

• Norms Shattered: Both Ari Melber and Emily Bazelon underscore how such investigations threaten the credibility of key US institutions and reflect autocratic tendencies.
  • Emily Bazelon:
    "It’s really important to just think about how shattering this is of our norms, of the credibility of the Justice Department… the independence of the Fed has been so crucial to the American economy and the world economy. And Trump seems determined to try to shake all of that up." (11:08)
  • Melber draws historical parallels:
    “When they came for the immigrants, I didn’t stand up. ... When they came for the Trump appointee, chair of the Federal Reserve...well, now some elites are standing up." (08:00)

5. Analysis: Will Republican Pushback Last?

• Skepticism & Strategy: The guests are skeptical that Republican resistance will hold unless more senators unite; Trump’s pattern is to continue pushing until faced with consequential resistance (13:21–14:36).
• Molly Zhang:
  "It's just so preposterous. ... That's what keeps happening with his administration, is they keep cooking up these preposterous cases." (12:45)

6. Trump’s Confessional Attitude & Future Risks

• Freewheeling Interview: Trump gave a New York Times interview suggesting regret for not attempting to “steal” the 2020 election by using Sidney Powell and the military to seize voting machines—revealing a continued fixation on overturning elections (16:28–21:03).
  • Emily Bazelon:
    “He remains super fixated on the idea that the 2020 election was stolen from him. ... It leads him to say things like this which seem against interest and would ... have been enormously consequential for the country if he'd actually tried to do something like that.” (19:44)
  • Melber:
    “A coup that goes unpunished becomes a training exercise—and this is worse than that because it's a coup that's been rewarded…” (20:50)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote / Memorable Moment | |-----------|---------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:44 | Powell (via Melber) | "Public service sometimes requires standing firm in the face of threats..." | | 04:31 | Ari Melber | "Trump's admitted abuse of federal probes against others adds to that picture..." | | 09:00 | Ari Melber (paraphrasing Sen. Tillis) | “We're not gonna let you put anybody on here if you keep up with this B.S.” | | 11:08 | Emily Bazelon | “...think about how shattering this is of our norms, of the credibility of the Justice Department...” | | 12:45 | Molly Zhang | “It’s just so preposterous... That’s what keeps happening with his administration, is they keep cooking up these preposterous cases.” | | 19:44 | Emily Bazelon | "He remains super fixated on the idea that the 2020 election was stolen from him..." | | 20:50 | Ari Melber | "A coup that goes unpunished becomes a training exercise—and this is worse..." | | 32:21 | Kid Mero | “That’s like me going into a kennel, like, covered in meat, being like, yo, why are these dogs biting me? This is wild.” | | 34:41 | Kid Mero | “When you could just call up the National Guard and be like, yo, go run down on this state... Just have, you know, like, my own private police force out there, just harassing people…” |

Additional Segments

7. ICE Aggression, Protests & Further Government Overreach

• ICE Shooting in Minneapolis: Coverage of protests and a lawsuit after an ICE agent kills an American citizen, with widespread outrage and legal actions taken in Minnesota (24:05–26:45).
  • Jesse Ventura’s reaction:
    “Freedom is not arresting people without warrants. ... It’s called a constitution.” (26:27)
• Pushback: Both the public and prominent independents like Jesse Ventura slam militarized federal actions.

8. Podcaster & MAGA World ‘Buyer's Remorse’

• Podcaster Shift: Ari Melber explores shifts in digital media, highlighting prominent podcasters like Rogan and Theo Von who express disappointment and frustration at Trump’s second term—especially regarding policy reversals on war, spending, and deportations (29:31–33:35).
  • Kid Mero:
    “You knew what he was about. People don’t change in four years. ... Now your buyer’s remorse is kicking in.” (32:21)

9. Cultural Tributes

• Bob Weir Tribute: The show concludes with a heartfelt look at the legacy of Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir, reflecting on his influence in music and counterculture (38:39–45:45).

Important Timestamps

• DOJ Probe of Powell Explained: 01:01–04:31
• Powell’s Statement: 02:44
• Political Analysis & Republican Pushback: 06:47–11:08
• Emily Bazelon’s Institutional Norms Commentary: 11:08
• GOP Senators Publicly Oppose DOJ Probe: 12:03–14:36
• Trump’s NYT Admission on 2020 Election: 16:28–21:03
• ICE Protests and Ventura Clip: 24:05–26:45
• Podcaster ‘Buyer's Remorse’ Segment: 29:31–33:35
• Cultural Commentary: Bob Weir Tribute: 38:39–45:45

Tone and Takeaways

The episode balances incisive legal and institutional analysis with urgency, warning about the cascading effects of eroded norms and the authoritarian use of state power. Ari Melber maintains his trademark, direct style, cutting through political spin with legal clarity, while guests urge listeners not to lose sight of the gravity of the moment. Humorous cultural asides—especially with Kid Mero—bring levity and authenticity, but always circle back to the serious erosion of American institutional values.

For listeners and non-listeners alike, this episode offers an unvarnished exploration of how fast democratic guardrails can erode, what’s at risk when powerful figures weaponize state institutions, and how even late pushback can matter in the defense of democracy.