Happy Tuesday, N2K reader!

The subject of this week’s world-famous news haiku competition™ is “How to AI-Proof Your Job.” And I believe that you, yes, you, dear reader! — can craft an incredible haiku on the subject. Send me your entry — to our spiffy new email address, haiku at cheddar dot com — by noon ET Thursday for consideration by your Cheddar peers!

News You Need2Know

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Fed chair ‘standing firm in the face of’ DOJ probe

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has dismissed as politically motivated a Department of Justice investigation into the Federal Reserve’s $2.5 billion headquarters renovation. Powell, who has faced persistent criticism from President Donald Trump, called the probe a “pretext” to undermine the Fed’s independence in setting monetary policy.

“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,” Powell said in a rare video statement. He further emphasized that his role in the Fed is carried out “without political fear or favor” and that public service requires “standing firm in the face of threats.”

Critics “fear” that this investigation is part of a broader campaign by President Trump to erode the Fed’s independence. Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who sits on the Senate Finance Committee, and is retiring, so has apparently stopped giving a damn, posted on X that; “[i]f there were any remaining doubt whether advisers within the Trump Administration are actively pushing to end the independence of the Federal Reserve, there should now be none. It is now the independence and credibility of the Department of Justice that are in question.” He said he would “oppose the confirmation of any nominee for the Fed — including the upcoming Fed Chair vacancy — until this legal matter is fully resolved.”

Kyle Cheney of Politico wrote on X: “Hard to overstate what a remarkable statement this is from a Republican senator — even a retiring one — accusing the Trump White House of weaponizing DOJ to control the Fed.”

Despite mounting pressure, Powell reaffirmed his commitment to the Fed’s mission of maintaining price stability and maximum employment. “I will continue to do the job the Senate confirmed me to do, with integrity and a commitment to serving the American people,” Powell said.

Over a picture of the demolished East Wing of the White House, which is currently the subject of multiple lawsuits, conservative lawyer George Conway, former husband of President Trump’s former spokeswoman Kelly Conway, wrote on X: “I also must say that it’s a bit rich that Trump and his DOJ think it’s a good idea to gin up a b______ investigation about supposed illegalities in....{checks notes}…renovating a federal building.”

Every living former Federal Reserve chief on Monday attacked the Department of Justice’s probe, accusing the Trump administration of running the U.S. like an emerging market. Ex-Fed chairs including Janet Yellen, Ben Bernanke and Alan Greenspan signed a statement blasting the “unprecedented attempt to use prosecutorial attacks to undermine [Fed] independence.” 

“This is how monetary policy is made in emerging markets with weak institutions, with highly negative consequences for inflation and the functioning of their economies more broadly,” wrote the group, which included top economic officials from Republican and Democratic administrations. “It has no place in the United States, whose greatest strength is the rule of law, which is at the foundation of our economic success,” the statement added.

CES: From AI everywhere to LEGO’s smart brick

The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas was dominated by AI and robotics this year, but not all innovations are created equal, according to Sean Hollister, senior editor at The Verge. While he observed that "robots are everywhere," Hollister noted that many are more "a little technology demonstrator... than something you would actually bring into your home." However, true advancements are still present, sometimes in surprising places.

A major standout is the non-AI Lego Smart Brick, which Hollister called a "breath of fresh air." The Smart Brick, which resembles the traditional Lego brick, is fitted with multiple sensors that project different sounds and lights while you’re actively playing and building with it. You can then pair the Smart Brick with a Smart Tag which essentially tells the Smart Brick how it should respond to your play. For example, if you’ve built yourself a helicopter with a Smart Brick, then the Smart Tag can unlock sounds, mini-games and even secret missions to help enhance gameplay. 

Hollister explained that the "classic two by four brick" enables novel interactions where minifigures like "Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker or Leia" can "talk to each other." 

“I am your father.” “I’m your sister.”

You get the picture. That bit sounds a bit like the dialog in “Chinatown,” actually. Let’s hope you don’t get a set of those Smart Bricks…

Beyond smart toys and AI robots (which attendees still dream will "fold your laundry"), Hollister highlighted significant improvements in display technology. OLED monitors, which previously made it "difficult to read text," now feature a changed sub-pixel arrangement that creates "crisp and beautiful monitors for workers too." Despite the heavy focus on the "huge AI show," CES remained a reliable "screen show," complete with "giant RGB, mini LED TVs," Hollister said.

Song of the Day: Haute & Freddy, ‘Dance the Pain Away’

Here’s a critically acclaimed synth-pop single by the Los Angeles-based duo Haute & Freddy (Michelle Buzz and Lance Shipp). The track serves as the lead single for their newly announced debut album, “Big Disgrace” (named for this newsletter!), scheduled for release in March. The video is a total rip-off of Daryl Hannah playing the replicant “pleasure model” Priss in “Bladerunner,” but don’t think that means I’m being negative about it. Watching the video, actually, reminded me of every Saturday night around my house.