Trump suffers setback in bid to fire Fed governor

Core Viewpoint - Donald Trump's attempt to remove Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve has been blocked by a federal judge, highlighting the ongoing tension between the Trump administration and the Fed's independence [1][4]. Group 1: Legal Developments - A federal judge ruled that the claims against Lisa Cook regarding mortgage fraud were likely insufficient for her removal from the Federal Reserve [2][4]. - The White House alleged that Cook inaccurately described properties on mortgage applications, potentially allowing her to secure lower interest rates and tax credits [3]. - Cook's lawyer emphasized the ruling as a reinforcement of the Federal Reserve's independence from political interference [13]. Group 2: Economic Context - Trump's calls for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates have not been heeded, as the central bank remains focused on inflation concerns linked to the trade war [5][7]. - The potential for a rate cut may arise due to a deterioration in the employment market, which has been negatively impacted by the trade war [5]. - The Federal Reserve's dual mandate includes ensuring maximum employment while controlling inflation, which complicates the influence of political demands on monetary policy [7][12].