Federal prosecutors have initiated a criminal investigation into Fed Chair Powell, prompting him to defend the central bank's policy stance. Powell emphasized that setting interest rates based on economic fundamentals rather than political pressure represents the Fed's commitment to serving the public interest. The investigation underscores ongoing tensions between monetary policy independence and external political influences—a critical factor shaping markets and asset valuations across equities, commodities, and digital assets. When central banks prioritize data-driven decisions over political preferences, it affects borrowing costs, inflation expectations, and ultimately investor positioning across all asset classes.