The Department of Justice said Friday it will drop a criminal probe into Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell, a sharp pivot in an unprecedented investigation into the nation's top central banker. Why it matters: It opens the path for President Trump's pick to lead the Fed, Kevin Warsh, to be confirmed to the post after a standoff with Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who blocked confirmation until the investigation was closed. Between the lines: In theory, the move allows enough time for Warsh to secure enough votes from the Senate Banking Committee and then the full Senate, to be sworn in when Powell's term as chair comes to an end next month. "The White House remains as confident as before that the Senate will swiftly confirm Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve Chairman to finally restore competence and confidence in Fed decision-making," White House spokesman Kush Desai said on X.…