A US judge has dismissed two subpoenas against Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell, who has been under President Donald Trump's influence. Judge James Boasberg stated that the subpoenas were intended to harass Powell into compliance, as Powell had been the subject of a months-long campaign under Trump to lower interest rates. Boasburg accused the government of producing ‘essentially zero evidence’ to justify these subpoenas. The US attorney overseeing the case, Jeanine Pirro, defended her decision as being “without legal authority” and said it would appeal swiftly. The Federal Reserve Board, which is considered independent from the US political system, has been criticized by some for its slow interest rates and policies that could undermine the economy.