Recent developments in the Department of Justice's review of former Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell center on the central bank's headquarters renovation project, which exceeded its original budget and reached approximately $2.5 billion. On October 2, 2026, Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the DOJ would not reopen its earlier criminal probe, following the Federal Reserve Inspector General's September 30 report that found no reasonable grounds for a criminal referral or evidence of misconduct by Powell, though it cited deficiencies in project oversight. This follows the closure of the initial investigation in April 2026 and aligns with market-implied odds reflecting limited prospects for federal charges absent new evidence from an independent audit. Traders are monitoring any further regulatory filings or congressional scrutiny for shifts in sentiment.