Fed Reserve Governor Lisa Cook’s lawyer denounces Trump’s latest firing bid after year-long fight

Abbe Lowell, the lawyer representing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, has vehemently criticized President Donald Trump's latest attempt to remove her from office. The lawyer has questioned the fairness of a White House inquiry into mortgage fraud allegations that could potentially serve as the basis for Cook's dismissal. Cook is currently scheduled to attend a hearing on November 5, but she will be unable to do so due to official commitments in Europe.

This prevents her from participating in the hearing until after the Federal Reserve's policy meeting in December. The lawyer has raised concerns about the impartiality of the committee appointed to investigate the allegations against Cook, as well as the lack of a clear timeline for disclosing evidence. One of the committee members, Kevin Hassett, previously suggested that Trump had grounds to dismiss Cook.

Lowell emphasized the importance of the process providing Cook with a fair opportunity to review the evidence and respond to the allegations. He also pointed out that the proposed hearing arrangements do not uphold the Federal Reserve's tradition of independence. The White House has yet to confirm whether the hearing will be rescheduled.

Trump initially attempted to fire Cook in 2025 over allegations that she made false statements on mortgage applications. Cook has denied the allegations and is fighting to retain her position at the central bank. The dispute has raised questions about the Federal Reserve's independence, and Trump has frequently criticized the central bank for not lowering interest rates for political reasons.

Although the US Supreme Court has previously blocked Trump from removing Cook at will, citing the need for proper procedural protections, the ruling still allows for removal if the administration follows a fair process and presents sufficient grounds. The legal challenge and White House inquiry are ongoing, leaving the outcome of the effort to remove Cook uncertain.