Connect with us
DAPA Banner

Business

Trump says DOJ won’t drop Powell criminal investigation over Fed renovation

Published

on

Trump action that is set to complicate Warsh’s Senate confirmation

President Donald Trump said Monday that the Justice Department will not drop its criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, will “take it to the end and see.”

Advertisement

Trump added that the rising cost of renovating the Fed’s two main buildings along the National Mall is “either gross incompetence or it’s theft of some kind or kickbacks.” He also said he “feels badly” for Kevin Warsh, whom he recently nominated to succeed Powell in May. “He may not have an office for four years,” Trump said, referring to the overhaul of the Fed’s buildings.

President Donald Trump speaks to Fed Chair Jerome Powell at Federal Reserve construction site

President Donald Trump speaks to Fed Chair Jerome Powell during a tour of the Federal Reserve in Washington, D.C., on July 24, 2025. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

THE FED’S $2.5B RENOVATION IS IRKING PRESIDENT TRUMP AND TEAM

“They’ve spent almost $4 billion doing this whole renovation. I’m doing buildings – I built a hotel, the Waldorf and I did it for around $200 million,” Trump said, adding that his previous real estate projects eclipse the size and scope of the Federal Reserve renovations.

The Federal Reserve did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Advertisement

The renovation costs are now central to a Justice Department criminal investigation opened in January into Powell’s congressional testimony about the project.

FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIR POWELL UNDER CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION OVER HQ RENOVATION

Federal Reserve building under construction

Construction on the Marriner S. Eccles Federal Reserve building in Washington, D.C., on July 14, 2025. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Powell called the move “unprecedented” in a Jan. 11 video statement and another example of what he described as Trump’s ongoing threats lobbed at the central bank. His decision to respond so publicly, after days of private consultation with advisors, marked a sharp departure from his typically measured approach.

The renovation is estimated to cost $2.5 billion and is being funded by the central bank itself, not by taxpayers.

Advertisement

The Fed is self-financing and does not rely on congressional appropriations to cover its operating expenses, which include employee salaries, facilities maintenance and the current renovation. Its primary income comes from interest earned on government securities and fees charged to financial institutions.

The atrium of the Federal Reserve building under construction.

The grand atrium of the Marriner S. Eccles Federal Reserve building during a media tour of the renovation of the central bank’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., on July 24, 2025.  (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

In June 2025, Powell told members of the Senate Banking Committee that “There’s no new marble. There are no special elevators. They’re old elevators that have been there. There are no new water features. There are no beehives, and there’s no roof garden terraces.”

POWELL REVEALS WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO STEP DOWN FROM THE FED AS PRESSURE MOUNTS

Powell also told lawmakers that no one “wants to do a major renovation of a historic building during their term in office.”

Advertisement

“We decided to take it on because, honestly, when I was the administrative governor, before I became chair, I came to understand how badly the Eccles Building really needed a serious renovation,” Powell said, adding that the building is “not really safe” and not waterproof.

A view of construction at the Federal Reserve

The Marriner S. Eccles Federal Reserve Board Building is visible as a massive renovation continues on the building and the 1951 Constitution Avenue Building on July 24, 2025, in Washington, D.C.  (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

He also said that the cost overruns are due, in part, to unexpected construction challenges and the nation’s inflation rate.

Trump has previously threatened legal action over the renovations and mocked the project’s cost and design.

“They’re building a basement into the Potomac River. I could have told them. That’s very tough to do, and it doesn’t work, and it’s very expensive,” Trump said. “But they’re up to $4 billion, headed by this clown,” he added in November, referring to Powell.

Advertisement

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

Meanwhile, Warsh’s confirmation to lead the world’s most powerful central bank could be delayed by Republican opposition linked to the criminal probe of Powell.

Warsh but must first be confirmed by a simple majority in the Senate, a process that typically begins with a hearing and vote in the Senate Banking Committee.

Kevin Warsh speaks at an event.

Kevin Warsh during the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Spring meetings at the IMF headquarters in Washington, D.C., on April 25, 2025. (Tierney L. Cross/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said last week he will oppose the confirmation of any Federal Reserve nominee until the Trump administration concludes its investigation into Powell. Tillis’s resistance carries particular weight given his seat on the Senate Banking Committee. 

Advertisement

With Tillis placing a hold on Warsh’s nomination, the only way to force it out of the Senate Banking Committee would be through a discharge vote on the Senate floor, a move that requires 60 votes and is unlikely in a deeply divided Senate, particularly amid tensions over the investigation into Powell.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Business

CoreWeave: Still Substantially Overpriced

Published

on

CoreWeave: Still Substantially Overpriced

CoreWeave: Still Substantially Overpriced

Continue Reading

Business

Founders Row invests in Yough

Published

on

Founders Row invests in Yough

Yough launches Greek yogurt, organic wheat flour-based pizza crust nationwide at Target.

Continue Reading

Business

Goldman Sachs reiterates Zillow stock rating on new listing product

Published

on


Goldman Sachs reiterates Zillow stock rating on new listing product

Continue Reading

Business

Lidl recalls chocolate ladybugs over undeclared hazelnut allergen

Published

on

Lidl recalls chocolate ladybugs over undeclared hazelnut allergen

Lidl US is recalling its Favorina Chocolate Ladybugs due to an undeclared hazelnut allergen, the company said. 

Consumers with hazelnut allergies risk serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if the product is consumed.

Advertisement

The recall applies to Favorina Chocolate Ladybugs – German-Style Nougat 3.52 oz boxes with UPC 20304492.

E. COLI OUTBREAK LINKED TO RAW CHEDDAR CHEESE ALLEGEDLY SICKENS 7 PEOPLE ACROSS MULTIPLE STATES

favorina chocolate ladybugs

Favorina Chocolate Ladybugs – German-style Nougat 3.52 oz boxes, sold at Lidl US stores, have been recalled due to an undeclared hazelnut allergen. (FDA)

The products were distributed between Jan. 28, 2026, and March 11, 2026, at Lidl store locations in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia.

favorina chocolate ladybugs ingredients

The recalled chocolate products were distributed across multiple states between late January and mid-March 2026, according to Lidl US. (FDA)

The recall was initiated after the company discovered the chocolate products, which contain tree nuts, were sold in packaging that did not disclose the presence of hazelnuts.

Advertisement
us lidl food market

A Lidl Food Market branch stands on December 27, 2022, in Arlington, Virginia. Lidl, a German discount supermarket chain, has expanded rapidly across 10 states in the eastern USA in recent years. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Customers are advised not to consume the product and to return it to any Lidl store for a full refund. A receipt is not required. Customers with questions can contact Lidl US by phone.

CLICK HERE TO GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO

No illnesses have been reported to date. FOX Business reached out to Lidl US for additional comment.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Business

How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing Business Service Delivery

Published

on

Data centre investment in the UK is being stymied by delays in securing electricity supply, according to David Sleath, CEO of Segro, one of the country’s largest commercial property developers.

Artificial intelligence is transforming how organisations deliver services, driving measurable changes in speed, efficiency, and client satisfaction in the business services sector.

For firms managing link-building, digital PR, and SEO operations, innovation in service delivery is a strategic imperative. Leaders are adapting to new challenges and opportunities as technological capabilities evolve, especially where service quality, campaign efficiency, and workflow automation intersect.

In recent years, artificial intelligence has become pivotal to how businesses, from small agencies to large service providers, approach service delivery in areas like link building, campaign fulfilment, publisher vetting, and scalable client operations. Embracing new technologies such as AI has become essential to remain competitive and meet evolving client requirements. Bazoom.com is an example of a platform at the centre of these industry shifts, helping businesses manage workflows that involve publisher qualification, brief handling, turnaround scheduling, compliance checks, and performance reporting. Integrating these solutions can increase value and effectiveness while providing more control over budgets, risk factors, and the integrity of digital PR and SEO services.

Adoption of artificial intelligence in core operations

Business service providers increasingly leverage artificial intelligence to automate and optimise tasks once handled entirely by staff. Within link-building marketplaces and digital PR delivery, AI-driven systems can help match briefs to qualified publishers, check for compliance, and monitor deadlines in real time. This optimises campaign execution and supports higher service consistency, although results may depend on data quality and oversight. In related areas, document management bots can extract, summarise, and validate information from contracts, briefs, and correspondence with faster turnaround than manual review, though process accuracy is influenced by how well systems are configured and monitored.

Marketing operations, especially those linked to SEO and digital PR campaigns, benefit from AI that streamlines content workflows and analyses outreach performance, enabling precise adjustments to targeting and reporting. Automated analysis helps organisations optimise budgets and forecast campaign impact, while anomaly detection reduces errors and flags potential risks early. Financially, automated processing of invoices and service orders supports scalability and frees teams to focus on strategic improvements in service fulfilment. Across these business services, the priority is to aid staff while reducing repetitive manual work in executing and monitoring link-building and PR campaigns.

Advertisement

Operational benefits and changes in expectations

As artificial intelligence matures within the link-building marketplace context, it delivers measurable benefits in speed, quality assurance, and cost control across service lines. Service consistency can improve because AI helps enforce compliance checks and maintain process standards at scale. Businesses expand service availability and responsiveness, allowing clients to expect faster turnarounds and continuous reporting on campaign KPIs, even outside standard office hours. These AI-enabled gains reshape not only client communications, but also internal workflows, enhancing publisher outreach, report generation, and fraud prevention measures important for digital PR and SEO fulfilment.

Intelligent automation also drives rethinking of pricing and service models. Service providers can now offer clear deliverable-based packages, volume discounts, and outcome-oriented retainers, reflecting efficiencies gained from AI-driven campaign workflows. Clients benefit from transparent quality control, budget tracking, and on-demand reporting. As the bar for link-building marketplace performance rises, expectations on turnaround times and fulfilment reliability increase. Businesses that leverage platforms such as bazoom.com illustrate how workflow automation, compliance management, and quality assurance are now central to effective, scalable business service delivery in this space.

Challenges of accuracy, compliance, and human oversight

Despite the advantages of artificial intelligence in managing link-building marketplace operations, implementation requires proactive oversight to mitigate risks. Automated models can yield incorrect matches, misinterpret publisher data, or miss nuanced compliance signals in briefs and campaign rules without appropriate human review. Protecting sensitive information throughout publisher interactions, campaign set-up, and reporting chains remains a critical challenge as data transits between clients, platforms, and internal staff. Ongoing monitoring of AI-driven processes is necessary to prevent the introduction or amplification of bias and to maintain high standards in campaign outcomes and reporting.

For organisations relying on AI in digital PR and SEO services, transparency, traceability, and explainability are vital. Human-in-the-loop systems allow for review and escalation of flagged issues before delivery to clients. Professional training can focus on developing skills to supervise, audit, and refine campaign workflows using artificial intelligence. When selecting between off-the-shelf automation and custom platform developments, teams consider the ability to integrate with core systems, manage workflow compliance, and ensure operational security. Balancing efficiency with transparency and accountability remains fundamental in service delivery across the link-building and digital marketplace sector.

Advertisement

Measuring performance and preparing for future trends

Calculating the return on investment for artificial intelligence in business services requires systematic performance measurement. Organisations in the link-building and PR space now track metrics such as cycle time for campaign fulfilment, issue resolution rates, publisher engagement, and client reporting accuracy. Phased rollouts and testing of AItools help identify process improvements and reduce operational risk before scaling new workflows. This data-driven approach enables teams to document gains and adjust strategies based on objective results rather than anecdotal observations.

Looking forward, the expanded use of autonomous AI agents and smart workflow automation is expected to further shape link-building marketplace operations. Enhanced compliance protocols, real-time audit trails, and proactive fraud prevention are becoming the norm, allowing service providers to meet increasing client and regulatory demands. Early adoption of transparent and robust artificial intelligence practices enhances competitive positioning, while organisations that delay adaptation may face greater pressure to modernise. As standards evolve within the business service delivery environment, transparency, reliability, and measurable quality will remain central to successful link-building and digital PR execution.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Business

Miami beats Los Angeles and New York for highest housing bubble risk

Published

on

Miami beats Los Angeles and New York for highest housing bubble risk

Miami has officially been crowned the most at-risk housing market in the world, surpassing notoriously expensive hubs like Los Angeles and New York.

While Florida’s tax-friendly climate continues to lure billionaires fleeing high-tax states like California, local homeowners are facing a perfect storm of record-low affordability, massive condo repair bills and surging insurance premiums, according to a new report.

Advertisement

UBS’ Global Real Estate Bubble Index for 2025 puts Miami in the No. 1 spot for the real estate market with the highest bubble risk, with a score of 1.73, well above the 1.5 threshold for “high risk.” That figure exceeds the peak of the 2006 housing bubble.

“Over the past 15 years, Miami has posted the strongest inflation-adjusted housing appreciation among all cities in the study,” the report says.

MARK ZUCKERBERG AND SERGEY BRIN CLOSE ON MASSIVE MIAMI ESTATES WORTH OVER $220M COMBINED

“Cities with elevated or high bubble risk continued to decouple from fundamentals: over the last five years, inflation-adjusted home prices increased nearly 25% on average, while rents rose about 10% and incomes about 5%,” it continues.

Advertisement
Miami skyline view with residential homes

An aerial view of high-rise residential towers and single-family homes in Miami Beach, Florida. (Getty Images)

“By contrast, prices in cities with moderate or low risk fell roughly 5%, while rents and incomes were broadly flat. Historically, worsening affordability and widening gaps between prices and rents have served as forerunners of housing crises.”

Although Florida remains attractive for its zero-income tax and a potential zero-property tax, the report notes a regulatory squeeze is hitting the state’s middle class as owners of older condominium units are getting hit with rising maintenance and reserve costs.

“While price growth is expected to turn negative in the coming quarters, a sharp correction appears unlikely at this stage,” says the report.

Advertisement

The Magic City has been a fiscal sanctuary for names like Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, venture capitalist Peter Thiel, Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg – some of whom recently moved out of California ahead of a proposed wealth tax.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

“Miami’s coastal appeal and favorable tax environment continue to attract newcomers from the U.S. West and Northeast, with real estate prices still well below those in New York and Los Angeles,” UBS notes.

Advertisement

Miami and Los Angeles are leading the U.S. in bubble risk, as “law and order” or “quality of life” issues in cities like San Francisco are impacting their housing trajectories, the report adds.

READ MORE FROM FOX BUSINESS

Continue Reading

Business

US Stocks: Qualcomm unveils $20 billion stock buyback program; shares jump 3%

Published

on

US Stocks: Qualcomm unveils $20 billion stock buyback program; shares jump 3%
Smartphone chip designer Qualcomm on Tuesday unveiled a $20 billion stock buyback program as it looks to take advantage of a steep drop in its share price, ‌which ⁠has been ⁠hit by a global memory supply crunch that is expected to slow handset manufacturing.

Shares of the company ​rose more than 3% on Tuesday, after a year-to-date drop of over 24% as ​the widespread shortage of memory ⁠chips hit ‌Qualcomm’s customers, mainly smartphone makers.

The ​new ​buyback is in addition to ⁠its existing $2.1 billion share buyback plan, the company ​said, adding that Qualcomm is also ​increasing its quarterly cash dividend by more than 3% to 92 cents per share from 89 cents.

“We remain focused on stockholder returns and executing on our ongoing ‌diversification opportunities,” CEO Cristiano Amon said.

Advertisement

Qualcomm is among the largest smartphone chip providers ​in the ​world, counting ⁠major Android players and iPhone-maker Apple among its customers.


But it has been increasingly diversifying its business, attempting to ​reduce its dependence on the smartphone industry by working to enter the booming data center chip and autonomous vehicle markets.

Continue Reading

Business

The Kraft Heinz Co. debuts functional macaroni and cheese

Published

on

The Kraft Heinz Co. debuts functional macaroni and cheese

The macaroni is available in two flavor varieties. 

Continue Reading

Business

Authorities Emphasize that Time Remains Critical

Published

on

Savannah Guthrie & Nancy Guthrie

The search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie, has stretched into its seventh week with no resolution, as federal investigators recovered fresh images from security cameras at her Catalina Foothills home, authorities confirmed in recent updates.

Savannah Guthrie & Nancy Guthrie

Nancy Ellen Long Guthrie vanished from her residence in the upscale Tucson suburb sometime after being dropped off around 9:45 p.m. on Jan. 31, 2026, following dinner at her daughter Annie Guthrie’s home. She was reported missing Feb. 1 when she failed to appear for church services, prompting Pima County Sheriff’s Office deputies to treat the case as a suspected abduction from the outset.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos described the home as a crime scene early in the investigation, citing “concerning circumstances” including blood droplet patterns inside and outside the residence that appeared similar. Investigators believe Guthrie was taken against her will, with no signs of forced entry initially noted but evidence suggesting targeted action.

The FBI joined the probe immediately, establishing a dedicated tip line and mobilizing resources. As of March 17, 2026 — Day 46 since her disappearance — more than 18,000 tips have poured in, though no public suspect identification or arrest has occurred. Family members, including Savannah Guthrie and other relatives, were cleared as persons of interest early on.

In the latest development, the FBI recovered additional surveillance footage from cameras at Guthrie’s home, according to ABC News reports cited in Yahoo News live updates. The new images supplement previously released stills showing an individual at her doorstep, whom authorities have described as a person of interest in the alleged abduction. Details about the content of the fresh footage remain limited, with officials withholding specifics to protect the investigation.

Advertisement

Sheriff Nanos has expressed continued hope that Guthrie remains alive, though the prolonged absence has tempered optimism. In mid-March statements, he indicated the home was “targeted” and did not rule out the possibility that the perpetrator could strike again, urging heightened community vigilance.

The investigation has shifted phases, according to attorney commentary in Newsweek. Peter Christiansen told the outlet the effort is moving “from broad public outreach to more clinical evidence consolidation,” including exhaustive review of video footage. FBI officials have emphasized that enhancing and analyzing surveillance requires viewing each segment in real time, contributing to the methodical pace.

Community response has been strong. Neighbors in Catalina Foothills reported frantic searches in the initial hours after Guthrie’s absence was noted. One resident, Aldine Meister, recounted on Brian Entin Investigates seeing a suspicious man near the home weeks before the disappearance, describing him taking a “long look” at properties. Such accounts have fueled speculation, though no direct links have been confirmed.

A $1 million family reward announced in late February remains active for information leading to Guthrie’s safe return or apprehension of those responsible. Savannah Guthrie issued emotional pleas for tips, including video messages urging the public to come forward with any details, no matter how small.

Advertisement

Physical evidence has yielded mixed results. Black gloves found near the home were tested and traced to a local restaurant worker with no connection to the case, officials said. Cadaver dog searches in surrounding areas were paused recently, per FOX LA updates on Day 44, as teams focused elsewhere.

Media coverage has been intense, with outlets like FOX 10 Phoenix providing daily recaps — Day 36 updates highlighted new photos in the search, while Day 35 noted ongoing efforts. Wikipedia’s entry, last edited March 15, states Guthrie’s condition and whereabouts remain unknown, underscoring the case’s unresolved status.

The disappearance has spotlighted vulnerabilities for seniors in suburban settings, even with modern surveillance. Experts have questioned how an 84-year-old could vanish in an era of widespread cameras and digital tracking, with one YouTube analysis from February pondering the “impossibility” of such cases today.

Savannah Guthrie has balanced her on-air duties with personal advocacy, occasionally addressing the case on “Today” and expressing frustration over the lack of breakthroughs. Legal analysts on programs like NewsNation have dissected blood evidence patterns and questioned inconsistencies in early statements, though authorities maintain operational secrecy.

Advertisement

As the search persists, the FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Office continue urging tips via their dedicated lines. No ransom demands or further communications from potential abductors have surfaced publicly.

Guthrie, born Jan. 27, 1942, in Fort Wright, Kentucky, was widowed since 1988 after her husband Charles’s death. She lived independently in Tucson, enjoying family proximity and community involvement.

With no major arrests or confirmed sightings reported as of mid-March 2026, the case remains one of the most high-profile missing persons investigations in recent U.S. memory, drawing international attention due to Savannah Guthrie’s prominence.

Authorities emphasize that time remains critical. Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI tip line or Pima County Sheriff’s Office immediately.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Business

Four North East entrepreneurs launch new tech venture with six-figure backing

Published

on

Business Live

The firm will initial focus on the North East but it has also set its sights on opportunities overseas

The Future Vision Group team: Robert Webster, David Forrester, James Hart and Anthony Ford.

The Future Vision Group team: Robert Webster, David Forrester, James Hart and Anthony Ford.(Image: Future Vision Group)

Four entrepreneurs have joined forces to launch a new North East telecoms and outdoor display group. Robert Webster, Anthony Ford, David Forrester and James Hart have created Newcastle based Future Vision Group, backing up the firm with a six-figure investment committed by each of the directors.

The Newcastle-registered company specialises in outdoor digital displays including weatherproof televisions and LED screens that can be found in pubs, football stadiums and concert venues. It also provides telecommunications services such as business broadband, cloud and hosted telecommunications, business mobile phones and structured cabling.

Initially focussing on the UK market, Future Vision Group plans to create new jobs in the coming months after setting its sights on opportunities overseas, including in Dubai and the US.

Managing director Robert Webster, who brings with him over 30 years experience within the tech sector, said: “After several years in the industry working at director-level, I knew the time was right to start our own venture and bring Future Vision Group to the marketplace.

Advertisement

“The team we’ve put in place is vastly experienced, and with the connections we each have, we’re confident that we will be able to quickly establish the business as the go-to supplier of outdoor TV’s, large digital displays and first-class telecommunications solutions.

“Although very early on, I believe our biggest challenge will not be if or how we grow, but how we manage that growth. That has to start with getting our position within the UK market established, then looking at opportunities overseas.”

Future Vision Group has now moved into a unit, with offices and a warehouse, in Peterlee. Alongside the four directors, the business has a team of sales, support and project management staff.

David Forrester, who until recently was part owner and director at Team Valley sign manufacturer Astley, said: “I knew Robert and Anthony well from my days at Astley so when the opportunity to join Future Vision Group came up, it was too good to miss.

Advertisement

“In Astley I was at the helm of a hugely successful company, that worked with many national and international brands. My aim is to bring some of that success to Future Vision Group and help the business establish a reputation for excellence, one that is synonymous with top quality products and first class services.”

To find all the planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol licence applications and more in your community, visit the Public Notices Portal.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025