White House National Economic Adviser Kevin Hassett prepares to offer a reside tv interview on the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 4, 2025.
Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
President Donald Trump’s high financial adviser, Kevin Hassett, stated Wednesday that Federal Reserve Board of Governors member Lisa Cook ought to go on leave from the central financial institution at the same time as she plans to file a lawsuit difficult her elimination by Trump.
“If I were her in her circumstance, I would take leave,” Hassett informed reporters outdoors the White House.
“I think it’s the honorable thing to do,” he continued, after a reporter requested about whether or not Cook needs to be presumed harmless of allegations of mortgage fraud raised by one other Trump-appointed official.
Hassett additionally defended Trump’s capacity to take away a Fed governor “for cause,” which is the authorized requirement for a president to fireplace a board member on the central financial institution.
Cook, the primary Black lady to function a Fed governor, is predicted to quickly file a lawsuit over Trump’s transfer, her legal professional, Abbe Lowell, stated Tuesday.
Trump’s “attempt to fire her, based solely on a referral letter, lacks any factual or legal basis,” Lowell stated in an announcement.
The Fed stated Tuesday that “Cook has indicated through her personal attorney that she will promptly challenge this action in court and seek a judicial decision that would confirm her ability to continue to fulfill her responsibilities as a Senate-confirmed member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.”
The battle over Cook’s elimination might finish with the Supreme Court issuing a closing determination on the matter.