If you’re checking your calendar to see when will Powell speak next, you’re likely trying to get a handle on the chaos currently ripping through the financial world. Usually, tracking Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is a predictable, almost boring affair. You mark down the FOMC dates, wait for the 2:00 PM statement, and then watch him calmly explain interest rates at 2:30 PM.
But right now? Honestly, "predictable" has left the building.
We are currently in a moment where the Fed’s independence is being tested in a way we haven't seen in modern history. Between the January 2026 FOMC meeting and a sudden, high-stakes investigation from the Department of Justice, every time Powell opens his mouth, the markets don't just move—they practically jump.
The Official 2026 Schedule: The Basics
Let's get the hard dates out of the way first. If you want the "official" answer for when will Powell speak, it happens at the conclusion of every Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting.
The next big one is the January 27–28, 2026 meeting.
Powell is scheduled to hold his press conference on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 2:30 PM ET. This is the standard procedure. The committee meets for two days, they decide what to do with the federal funds rate, and then Powell sits behind that familiar wooden desk to tell us why they did it.
Here is the projected roadmap for the rest of the year:
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- March 17–18* (Includes the Summary of Economic Projections)
- April 28–29
- June 16–17*
- July 28–29
- September 15–16*
- October 27–28
- December 8–9*
The dates marked with an asterisk are the heavy hitters. Those are the meetings where the Fed releases the "Dot Plot," showing where every official thinks rates are headed over the next few years. In a normal year, those would be the only dates you’d care about.
Why This Isn't a Normal Year
You’ve probably seen the headlines. On January 11, 2026, Jerome Powell did something he almost never does: he released a video statement that wasn't about inflation or employment. He told the world that he is being criminally investigated by the Department of Justice.
The probe, led by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, is officially about the $2.5 billion renovation of the Federal Reserve’s headquarters. Critics say it’s $600 million over budget and that Powell misled Congress about it back in June 2025.
But if you ask Powell—or basically any economist at JPMorgan or Goldman Sachs—they’ll tell you the renovation is just a "pretext." The real fight is about interest rates. President Trump has been very vocal about wanting rates slashed to zero or near-zero to juice the economy, and Powell has been the "steely" roadblock in the way, preferring a "slow and steady" approach to avoid a 1970s-style inflation spike.
This means when will Powell speak is no longer just a question for the FOMC calendar. He is now speaking in "emergency" capacities to defend the very existence of an independent central bank.
What People Get Wrong About the "Quiet Period"
There’s a rule called the "blackout period" or "quiet period." It basically says that Fed officials aren't allowed to speak publicly about policy from the second Saturday before an FOMC meeting until the Thursday after.
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For the January 27–28 meeting, the blackout starts on January 17, 2026.
If you’re waiting for a hint on interest rates, you basically have between now and then to hear from him. After the 17th, he’ll go radio silent until the official press conference on the 28th. However, given the DOJ investigation, don't be surprised if he speaks about "administrative matters" or "institutional integrity." Technically, that’s not monetary policy, so he might skirt the rules to keep the public—and the markets—on his side.
The Solidarity of Central Bankers
One of the most wild things to happen this week was the joint statement from 10 of the world’s biggest central bank heads. Christine Lagarde (ECB) and Andrew Bailey (Bank of England) basically came out on January 13, 2026, and said, "We stand with Powell."
This is huge. It’s almost unheard of for foreign central bankers to comment on a domestic legal investigation in the U.S. It shows how high the stakes are. If the Fed loses its independence, the global trust in the U.S. dollar could take a massive hit.
Why You Should Care
- Mortgage Rates: If Powell sounds like he’s caving to political pressure, inflation expectations might soar, which actually drives mortgage rates up, not down.
- Stock Market Volatility: Markets hate uncertainty. The DOJ probe is the ultimate "black swan" event.
- The May 2026 Deadline: Powell’s term as Chair ends in May. This investigation might be a way to force him out early.
Actionable Insights: How to Prep for the Next Speech
Knowing when will Powell speak is only half the battle. You need to know what to listen for.
First, ignore the noise about the building renovations. Unless there’s a smoking gun showing Powell personally pocketed cash (which nobody is actually alleging), that’s a political sideshow.
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Instead, focus on the January 28th press conference. Watch for any change in his tone. Is he still using "dispassionate, monotone" language, or is he starting to sound defensive? If he sticks to the data, the markets will likely stay calm. If he starts talking about "political interference," expect the bond market to go into a tailspin.
Next Steps for You:
- Mark January 17th: This is the start of the blackout. Any major Fed "leaks" or "hints" usually happen right before this.
- Watch the 2-Year Treasury Yield: This is the best "bullshit detector" for what the market actually thinks about Powell’s future. If the yield spikes while he’s speaking, the market doesn't believe he can hold the line.
- Check the FOMC Minutes: They usually come out three weeks after the meeting (around mid-February). They’ll give you the "behind-the-scenes" look at whether other Fed governors are actually supporting Powell or if they're starting to distance themselves.
The fight between the White House and the Fed is the biggest story in finance right now. Stay tuned to the official Federal Reserve "Newsevents" page, as that's where any "unscheduled" video statements—like the one from last Sunday—will pop up first.