Trump Renews Threat to Fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook After Supreme Court Ruling
NYT > U.S. > Politics — 2026-06-29 16:21:00 — www.nytimes.com
Trump Defiant After Supreme Court Blocks Immediate Ouster of Fed Governor
President Trump responded defiantly after the Supreme Court blocked his attempt to immediately remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa D. Cook, signaling he would not abandon his ongoing effort to exert greater control over the central bank. In a social media post, Trump described the 5-to-4 decision as merely a “procedural” matter and vowed to “take appropriate action immediately to make sure that someone who has committed wrongdoing will not be making vital decisions concerning the Welfare of the United States of America!”
Trump’s Attempt to Remove Cook
The Supreme Court’s decision came after Trump tried to oust Cook last year over unsubstantiated allegations of mortgage fraud. The court sided with a lower court, ruling that Cook should have been given the formal opportunity to contest the accusations before any removal. Cook, who denies any wrongdoing and has never been charged with a crime, was allowed to remain in her role while the case proceeds.
Legal Ambiguity and Ongoing Battle
The justices did not clearly define the legal criteria for firing a Fed official, nor did they address the specifics of the allegations against Cook. This ambiguity allowed Trump to frame the ruling as a temporary setback rather than a defeat, and he seized on the lack of clarity to continue pressing his case.
Legal scholars expressed concern about Trump’s well-documented desire to install loyalists at the Fed, viewing the court’s decision as leaving the door open for further political interference. The majority opinion rejected Trump’s argument that presidents should have uncontested authority to fire Fed officials, emphasizing the importance of judicial oversight.
Fact-Check: Trump’s Claims and the Court’s Findings
Trump’s push to remove Cook was based on allegations that have not been substantiated, and the Supreme Court found that his administration erred by not allowing her to contest the charges. The court’s ruling also undercut Trump’s claim of near-limitless presidential power over the central bank, with Chief Justice John Roberts warning that such authority would undermine the Fed’s independence.
Conclusion
President Trump’s reaction to the Supreme Court’s decision highlights his ongoing campaign to reshape the Federal Reserve’s leadership and reduce its independence. Despite the legal setback, Trump’s vow to continue pursuing action against Cook underscores the unresolved tension between political influence and the central bank’s autonomy. The court’s ruling affirms the need for due process and judicial oversight, but leaves open questions about the future balance of power over the nation’s economic policy.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/29/us/politics/trump-fire-fed-governor-cook.html