13/01/2026 (Agence Europe) – Several heads of major central banks, including the ECB, the Bank of England, and the Bank of Canada, have expressed that they “stand in full solidarity” with US Fed Chair Jerome H. Powell, who has been targeted by a Department of Justice investigation into the cost of renovations at the Fed’s headquarters—an investigation that could lead to criminal proceedings. In a statement, these prominent individuals declared, “The independence of central banks is a cornerstone of price, financial and economic stability in the interest of the citizens that we serve.” They believe that Mr Powell, whose term of office will end in the spring, has carried out his duties “with integrity, focused on his mandate and an unwavering commitment to the public interest”. On Sunday, Mr Powell described the unprecedented investigation as “pretexts”, whereas US President Donald Trump has regularly been lambasting the Fed’s management of monetary policy, claiming the institution has not lowered interest rates enough. (MB)