The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public rather than following the preferences of the president.
This confrontation between DOJ and Fed is about the future of American economy and government, questioning how many independent institutions will exist in Trump's America.
Aimanjah
Powell released defiant video statement claiming DOJ investigation is pretext; President Trump says Powell is too slow to cut interest rates and doesn't like his defiance.
Aimanjah
Donald Trump
He's billions of dollars over budget, so he either is incompetent or he's crooked. I don't know what he is, but he certainly doesn't do a very good job.
Trump wants to appoint someone to Fed who thinks like him about interest rates; this is about control of key Fed board seat; Treasury Secretary expressed reservations about political blowback.