Trump continues push to oust Lisa Cook despite new evidence that undermines his claims

Core Points - The Trump administration is seeking to fire Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve's board of governors ahead of an important interest rate vote [1][5] - Cook's legal team argues that the administration has not provided sufficient cause for her dismissal, highlighting potential economic risks [2][4] - This situation marks a historic attempt by a president to influence the independent Federal Reserve, with Cook being the first governor targeted for removal [3] Legal Proceedings - The Trump administration filed a response to the U.S. Court of Appeals, claiming Cook's arguments against her firing are without merit [2] - Cook has initiated legal action to block her firing, and a federal judge previously ruled that the removal was illegal, reinstating her to the board [4] Allegations and Investigations - Allegations against Cook include claims of mortgage fraud related to her property declarations, which have led to a criminal referral to the Justice Department [3][4] - The administration's justification for firing Cook is based on these allegations, although her characterization of the properties may undermine the claims [4] Economic Implications - The administration's appeal comes just before a Federal Reserve meeting where a key interest rate decision is expected, with economists predicting a quarter-point cut [5]