Fed Governor Lisa Cook’s Hearing on Trump’s Firing Bid Moves to December 14
A White House hearing on whether President Donald Trump can fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook has been rescheduled for December 14, after Cook’s legal team asked the administration to resolve fairness and process concerns before she will attend, Reuters reported.
Trump has spent more than a year trying to remove Cook over mortgage fraud allegations that she denies, saying they are a pretense to oust her over her monetary policy decisions. In June, the Supreme Court decided that Trump lacks the authority to dismiss a Fed governor “at will,” though removal for cause might be permissible provided she receives an opportunity to defend herself. Trump’s top economic aide, Kevin Hassett, has said the hearing — which Trump initially set for November 5 — is designed to do just that, Reuters reported.
White House reschedules hearing on allegations against Fed's Lisa Cook for December https://t.co/pdFXdnmrYu
What Cook’s Legal Team Wants Resolved First
Abbe Lowell, who represents Cook, has expressed doubts regarding the fairness of the hearing, given that it forms part of a White House probe into Cook that Hassett and two additional Trump appointees will lead. A representative for Cook’s legal team told Reuters that her counsel has asked the White House to address several issues by December 14, including the neutrality of the committee holding the hearing and the “disclosure of any evidence they want to address, and roles of others in the process.” Cook’s legal team has said she could be available if those concerns are resolved.
Why the Hearing Matters for the Fed
The Supreme Court’s June ruling drew a line between firing a governor at will — which it said Trump cannot do — and removing one for cause, which requires a chance to defend herself. The December 14 hearing is the administration’s attempt to meet that requirement, and Cook’s conditions show her team is treating the process itself as part of the dispute.
Committee Sets Hearing Date
The hearing is now set for December 14. Whether Cook attends depends on whether the White House addresses her legal team’s concerns about the committee’s neutrality and evidence disclosure before that date.
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