President Donald Trump has filed an appeal to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook as new evidence emerges, ahead of a critical Fed interest rate decision.
Key points:
- President Trump has appealed to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, citing alleged misconduct, ahead of a key Fed interest rate decision.
- New documents suggest Cook accurately reported her Atlanta property as a vacation home, potentially weakening the administration’s mortgage fraud claims.
- The legal battle raises questions about presidential removal powers, Fed independence, and could set a precedent for executive authority over federal appointments.
In a September 14 appeal, the Trump administration contends that the “for cause” standard for removing Fed Governor Cook grants the president broad discretion and is not subject to judicial review.

The filing adds that even if the president’s decision were subject to review, any examination would be narrowly confined to the strict standard applied in ultra vires claims. “Cook does not argue that she meets that standard, nor could she,” the filing wrote. “The district court’s conclusion that “cause” excludes pre-confirmation conduct finds no support in text or precedent, and even Cook’s counsel did not advocate for that standard below,” it added.
In late August, President Trump sought to remove Federal Reserve Governor Cook, citing alleged false statements on mortgage documents and concerns over her integrity. He contended that Federal Reserve officials must uphold public trust, and claimed Cook’s actions compromised that confidence.
The dispute has sparked a major legal confrontation over presidential authority to remove Federal Reserve officials, intensifying concerns about central bank independence and prompting scrutiny of the US dollar’s stability.
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However, recent documents reviewed by NBC News suggest that Federal Reserve Governor Cook accurately reported her Atlanta property as a vacation home rather than a primary residence, potentially undermining the Trump administration’s mortgage fraud claims.
A May 2021 loan summary from Bank-Fund Staff Federal Credit Union lists the property as a vacation home, while Fulton County public records show Cook did not apply for primary residence tax exemptions.
These developments emerge just days ahead of a Federal Reserve interest rate decision, with expectations that the central bank could implement its first unanimous rate cut since December 2024.
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The outcome of the appeal could set a precedent for presidential authority over federal appointments, potentially reshaping the balance of power between the executive branch and independent agencies.
