Trump Reinitiates Process to Remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook

President Donald Trump has reinitiated a process to remove Lisa Cook, a member of the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors. On August 5, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino sent Cook a letter, informing her that the president was "considering" her removal from the board.

The Supreme Court temporarily halted Trump's previous attempt to remove Cook on June 29. The court's decision highlighted the Federal Reserve's need for independence from political influence.

Scavino's letter cited allegations that Cook committed mortgage fraud in 2021, prior to her appointment to the Federal Reserve. The allegations state Cook listed two different residences, a condominium in Georgia and a house in Michigan, as her primary residence on mortgage applications. This practice can qualify applicants for more favorable loan terms.

Cook has disputed these mortgage fraud allegations. Other financial records also appear to provide different information than the administration's claims.

Scavino's letter referenced the Supreme Court's ruling in *Trump v. Cook*. The majority opinion in that case specified that Cook was entitled to notice and an opportunity to respond before termination. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that Cook did not require an audience with the President or a full judicial trial. Roberts stated that the requirement was for Cook to have "the right to support [her] allegations by argument however brief, and, if need be, by proof, however informal,' before a final decision is made."

The letter from Scavino noted an August 2025 criminal referral by William Pulte, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and Pulte's accompanying letter, which "set forth the allegations." Scavino told Cook, "This is your opportunity to respond. You may provide any evidence or other supporting documentation you wish to be considered, and you may provide any argument that you wish to be considered to the President through the Director of Presidential Personnel no later than August 26, 2026."

Cook's attorneys, Abbe Lowell and Norm Eisen, confirmed Cook received Scavino's letter on Friday. In a statement to SCOTUSblog, they stated the allegations against Cook remain "as baseless now as they were a year ago when President Trump tried to remove Governor Cook to interfere with the independence of the Federal Reserve." They added, "No matter what President Trump tries to do next, this much is clear under the facts and Supreme Court precedent — there is no valid cause for removing Governor Cook. As we did before, we will challenge this latest pretext and preserve her position and the historic role of the Fed."