Trump Continues Push to Remove Fed Governor Lisa Cook
The U.S. president renews his battle to oust the first Black woman on the central bank's board, despite a June Supreme Court ruling that protected the institution's independence.
The U.S. president renews his battle to oust the first Black woman on the central bank's board, despite a June Supreme Court ruling that protected the institution's independence.
U.S. President Donald Trump has continued his efforts to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, ABC News reported on Friday, August 7, 2026. This move follows the Supreme Court's rejection of his request for her removal in June, thereby preserving the central bank's independence.
Lisa Cook's attorney, Abbe D. Lowell, sharply reacted to Trump's latest attempt, calling the allegations "unfounded." In a statement to Reuters, he emphasized that there is "no legitimate reason" for her removal.
"As before, we will challenge this new pretext and preserve her position and the Fed's historic role," Lowell said. The Federal Reserve did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.
The conflict between Trump and Cook dates back to last year, when the president first tried to remove the governor. At that time, he cited alleged mortgage fraud as the reason. Cook, who is the first Black woman appointed to the Fed's board, dismissed those claims. She asserted that the allegations served only as a pretext for her removal due to disagreements over monetary policy.
In June 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court, by a narrow 5-4 vote, rejected Trump's request, thereby preventing Cook's removal for now. That decision was seen as crucial for preserving the independence of the U.S. central bank from political pressures, especially in the context of an unprecedented challenge by the Republican president.
The fight for Lisa Cook to remain in office once again moves to the political and legal arena, with potential consequences for the stability and credibility of the Fed in global financial markets.
