US Supreme Court Blocks Trump From Firing Federal Governor Lisa Cook For Now

Last Updated:October 01, 2025, 21:17 IST

In a short, unsigned order, the court said it would take up the case in January 2026, and “deferred” the Trump administration’s request to unseat Cook

Donald Trump and Lisa Cook | File Image

The US Supreme Court on Wednesday stopped President Donald Trump from immediately removing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, saying it would hear the case regarding her dismissal early next year.

In a short, unsigned order, the court said it would take up the case in January 2026, and “deferred" the Trump administration’s request to unseat Cook. This means Cook will stay in her position until the court hears arguments and makes a final decision.

The Trump administration had asked the court to urgently remove Cook from the Fed’s board, but the justices declined to act immediately.

Lisa Cook, appointed by former US President Joe Biden in 2022, is the first Black woman to serve on the Federal Reserve Board. She has firmly said she will not resign, telling reporters she will not be “bullied" and will continue fulfilling her duties.

Trump has accused Cook of mortgage fraud, saying she listed two homes in different states as her “primary residence" in 2021, before joining the Fed. His lawyers argued this calls into question her trustworthiness. However, Cook has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with a crime.

According to documents seen by the Associated Press, Cook clearly marked one of the homes as a “vacation home" and a “second home" in loan documents and security clearance forms.

A US District Court judge earlier ruled that Trump’s attempt to fire Cook was illegal. The judge said Fed governors can only be removed “for cause", and that the administration failed to prove Cook had done anything wrong while in office. The court also said firing her would violate her right to due process.

A federal appeals court later agreed, rejecting the Trump administration’s emergency request to proceed with the firing.

Trump’s move to remove Cook is seen as an unprecedented effort to reshape the Federal Reserve, which has historically operated independently of political influence. No US president has ever fired a sitting Fed governor in the central bank’s 112-year history.

Cook continues to serve on the Fed board and took part in the September meeting of the interest rate-setting committee. The next meeting is scheduled for October 28–29. Cook will have the opportunity to vote again, as will Stephen Miran, a Trump appointee recently confirmed by Senate Republicans.

(With inputs from AP)

News world US Supreme Court Blocks Trump From Firing Federal Governor Lisa Cook For Now

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