There's been questions about whether the administration pressured DOJ to investigate Fed Chair Powell. The answer is straightforward—no such directive was given. As for the president's repeated public criticism of the Fed chair's policies, that's within his right to do. Presidents have long voiced views on monetary policy and central bank decisions. The distinction between voicing political opinion and exercising improper government influence is an important one worth understanding, especially as markets react to shifting relationships between executive and monetary policy branches.