Trump Revives Bid to Oust Fed Governor Lisa Cook, Giving Her 21 Days to Respond
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Aug 7
Trump Revives Bid to Oust Fed Governor Lisa Cook, Giving Her 21 Days to Respond
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Aug 7
Summary
Dan Scavino’s letter told Fed Governor Lisa Cook the White House sees possible “cause” to remove her and gave her 21 days to answer allegations tied to honesty, trustworthiness and competence.
The renewed push revives Trump’s effort to unseat a Biden appointee after his earlier attempt stalled, as he has repeatedly attacked the Fed for not cutting interest rates more aggressively.
Abbe Lowell, Cook’s lawyer, called the accusations as baseless as they were a year ago and said any removal would be challenged as an attack on Fed policy autonomy.
A court fight could test how far a president can go in firing a Fed governor for cause, a precedent with broad implications for the central bank’s independence.
Could the fight over Lisa Cook end up redefining how independent the Federal Reserve really is?
2026 Supreme Court Showdown: Trump v. Cook, Fed Independence, and the Battle Over Presidential Removal Powers
Overview
In June 2026, the Supreme Court blocked President Trump's immediate attempt to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, ruling that she was denied due process and must remain in her post while her lawsuit continues. This procedural decision left open the possibility of future removal, which the White House quickly pursued by formally notifying Cook of new charges and giving her 21 days to respond. The controversy centers on mortgage fraud allegations raised by a political appointee, sparking widespread protest from economists and former officials who warn that political interference threatens the Fed's independence and the stability of the U.S. economy.