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lisa cook
Judge Rejects Trump Unlawful Effort to Remove Fed Governor Lisa Cook
"According to the government, the determination of cause is committed to the president's discretion by statute, leaving no role for this court," said a federal judge. "The court disagrees."
Sep 10, 2025
A federal judge late Tuesday ruled against President Donald Trump's unlawful attempt to fire Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook last month, determining that the president's "for cause" argument was unconvincing as it was based on unsubstantiated accusations of wrongdoing and represented an executive overreach with worrying implications.
Trump claimed his attempted removal of Cook, whose legal team challenged it as politically motivated and an "unprecedented and illegal" violation of the Fed's statutory independence, was for falsified mortgage applications for homes Cook purchased prior to her appointment to the board, However, Judge Jia M. Cobb of the US District Court for the District of Columbia found that the alleged infractions were neither substantiated and also took place prior to her taking the position.
"According to the government, the determination of cause is committed to the president's discretion by statute, leaving no role for this court. The court disagrees," Cobb said in her decision.
The accusations against Cook center on accusations brought by Bill Pulte, a prominent political supporter of Trump appointed by the president to lead the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which operates the public lending arms of both Fannie and Freddie Mac. Critics of Pulte have accused him of weaponizing his access to private mortgage data by sifting through records of Trump's perceived political enemies.
As economist Dean Baker wrote in a column last week, people would be wise to recognize Pulte's outsized role in the accusations Trump made against Cook.
"While the validity of Pulte's allegations will have to be determined by the courts, the real scandal is Pulte himself," wrote Baker. "He is supposed to be running the agency that oversees the processing of tens of millions of mortgages by two huge quasi-public agencies. We are not supposed to be paying him to rifle through mortgage documents to find and disclose dirt that Trump can use against his political opponents."
By ruling against Trump on Tuesday, Cobb sided with Cook's request for a temporary injunction. This means she will remain in her post, with full voting rights as a governor of the Fed Board, as the case proceeds in the courts.
"Today's ruling recognizes and reaffirms the importance of safeguarding the independence of the Federal Reserve from illegal political interference," said Abbe Lowell, an attorney on Cook's legal team. "Allowing the president to unlawfully remove Governor Cook on unsubstantiated and vague allegations would endanger the stability of our financial system and undermine the rule of law."
For now, Lowell added, Cook will "will continue to carry out her sworn duties as a Senate-confirmed Board Governor."
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The Real Scandal Here Is Bill Pulte, Not Lisa Cook
While the validity of Pulte’s allegations against the Fed Governor will have to be determined by the courts, the real questions that need answers are about Pulte himself.
Sep 05, 2025
Bill Pulte is the head of Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), the agency that oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. He has been in the news recently over his allegations that prominent opponents of President Trump committed mortgage fraud. Most recently, Pulte has put Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook in his crosshairs, claiming that she listed two homes as principal residences on mortgage applications.
Trump immediately used this allegation as a basis for trying to fire Cook, even though the Fed is supposed to be an independent agency outside of the president’s control. Governor Cook sued Trump over his firing effort, and the courts will ultimately decide whether this is within his power.
At this point, it is important to remember that Cook has not even been indicted for anything, much less convicted. We only have an allegation from Mr. Pulte.
What reason does Pulte have for not following normal procedures? Pulte really needs to come clean on this.
It is also worth noting the irony of Trump, who was convicted in a civil trial for putting false information on loan forms, trying to fire someone for listing two homes as principal residences. Among the items that Trump put on his loan form was the claim that his 10,000 square foot condo was actually 32,000 square feet. Perhaps President Trump is offended by the pettiness of Cook’s alleged crime.
While the validity of Pulte’s allegations will have to be determined by the courts, the real scandal is Pulte himself. He is supposed to be running the agency that oversees the processing of tens of millions of mortgages by two huge quasi-public agencies. We are not supposed to be paying him to rifle through mortgage documents to find and disclose dirt that Trump can use against his political opponents.
The media really need to be directing some serious questions in Pulte’s direction. First and foremost, how did he happen to discover the mortgage abuses that he alleges were committed by NY Attorney General Letitia James, Senator Adam Schiff (D-California), and now Governor Lisa Cook? Were these “discoveries” the result of random inspections done by agency staff?
Furthermore, was he looking through non-public mortgage files to gather this information? Also, why did he make this information public when he uncovered it, instead of going through normal channels. If he had followed established procedures, he would have turned over the information to the agency’s inspector general, who would then turn if over to the Justice Department, if they determined it was appropriate. The first time the public would hear about it was when an indictment was issued.
What reason does Pulte have for not following normal procedures? Pulte really needs to come clean on this.
He should also come clean on his holdings of Pulte Group stock, the huge housing construction company started by his grandfather. It may be the case that conflicts of interest are almost a job requirement in the Trump administration, but many of us still think that government officials should be working for the public, not trying to fatten their pocketbook.
If Pulte helps Trump get his wish and a Trump-controlled Fed lowers interest rates, it would provide a big boost to the Pulte Group’s profits. That hope would give Pulte a strong motivation to try to hasten the day when Trump appointees dominate the Fed’s Open Market Committee that sets interest rates.
Anyhow, there is definitely a big scandal here—but it involves Bill Pulte, not Lisa Cook. The media really need to take notice.
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Trump’s Attack on Lisa Cook Is an Attack on Fed Independence and Black Leadership
Dr. Cook has earned her position through expertise, service, and integrity. She should be allowed to continue her work without intimidation or political interference.
Sep 04, 2025
When US President Donald Trump attempted to remove Federal Reserve Governor Dr. Lisa D. Cook from her post, he didn’t just target one individual. He threatened the independence of the Federal Reserve and sent a chilling message to every leader serving in public life: No matter your qualifications, your service is never safe from political retribution.
Trump’s attack on Dr. Cook is also yet another attempt to delegitimize Black leadership across the highest levels of American government. That’s why my organization, the Joint Center—America’s leading Black think tank—convened a coalition of leading civil rights, economic justice, and policy organizations to stand with Dr. Cook and push back.
Dr. Cook’s credentials are beyond dispute. She’s a world-class economist who’s advised governments during global crises, served at multiple levels of the Federal Reserve System, and earned acclaim as a professor at Michigan State University.
She was elected by Midwestern community bankers to the boards of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago—proof of the broad trust she’s earned across the financial community.
In 2022, Dr. Cook made history as the first Black woman appointed to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. Her appointment was a breakthrough for Black representation in economic governance. Today, that breakthrough is under threat.
President Trump’s attempt to force her out is part of a broader pattern. Time and again, he’s sought to discredit and remove Black leaders from positions of power—from insulting Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) by calling her “low IQ” to attacking prosecutors like Letitia James and Fani Willis, undermining federal judges like Tanya Chutkan, and dismissing the leadership of Maryland Gov. Wes Moore.
Attacking the tenure of a Federal Reserve governor—especially one as qualified and effective as Dr. Cook—undermines that independence and destabilizes the very system Trump claims to protect.
Trump has also ignored the will of DC residents and Mayor Muriel Bowser by ordering National Guard troops into the city’s streets.
These attacks are not random. They’re part of a deliberate strategy to weaken and delegitimize Black leadership across our institutions—from the courts to the military to economic governance.
The attack on Dr. Cook marks a dangerous escalation. The Federal Reserve is one of the most important independent institutions in our democracy. It safeguards our economy and makes decisions that affect virtually every family and business in this country.
Attacking the tenure of a Federal Reserve governor—especially one as qualified and effective as Dr. Cook—undermines that independence and destabilizes the very system Trump claims to protect.
We cannot allow this to stand.
In moments like this, silence is complicity. That is why we are calling on policymakers, civic leaders, and the public to speak out—not just in defense of Dr. Cook, but in defense of every public servant facing illegitimate harassment as part of a politically motivated attack.
The coalition’s message is simple: Dr. Cook has earned her position through expertise, service, and integrity. She should be allowed to continue her work without intimidation or political interference.
If we fail to take action now, we risk sending a dangerous message to future generations of leaders: No matter how qualified you are, your leadership can be erased at the whim of those in power. We also risk losing some of the small gains in Black political representation that has emerged over the last 30 years.
We must not let that message stand.
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