3 d. ago The Guardian view on Trump and the Fed: independence is no substitute for accountability | Editorial

The US president’s move against Lisa Cook shows his despotic bent, but the Fed was never democracy’s guardian. It’s time to rethink who really controls moneyDonald Trump’s attempt to sack the Federal Reserve governor, Lisa Cook, is the familiar authoritarian trick of bending institutions to serve the leader’s immediate ends. The widespread condemnation is deserved. This is not some daring experiment in popular control of monetary policy. Yet what should follow censure is reflection. For the furore over Ms Cook has revealed a peculiar reflex: to defend the Fed’s independence as though it were synonymous with democracy itself.But is independence of the Fed, or central banks generally, really that? Eric Levitz at Vox thinks so, or at least that it is close enough. He argues that Congress sets the Fed’s objectives; independence applies only to the means. Without independence, politicians would be free to game rates for votes – as Richard Nixon did in 1972, leaning on the ...

Politics

4 d. ago Lisa Cook, the Federal Reserve governor battling Donald Trump

Economist’s legal showdown with the president will have sweeping implications for the US central bank

Politics

4 d. ago Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook sues Trump after he ‘fired’ her

Trump’s unprecedented move against the central bank's leadership is an effort to ‘undermine the independence of the Federal Reserve’, Cook’s lawyer said

Politics

5 d. ago Bernie Sanders condemns ousting of CDC chief Susan Monarez as ‘outrageous’ – US politics live

Vermont senator weighs in after Monarez issues statement refusing to step down, plunging public health agency into chaosA notable feature of Cook’s lawsuit against the president, her lawyers have listed Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell and the rest of the board as defendants.They underscore that while the president has the right to remove a governor of the board “for cause”, Donald Trump only cited a referral letter from Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which alleges that Cook made false statements on a mortgage agreement.The claims made in Director Pulte’s referral letter are unsubstantiated allegations that about conduct that predates her [Cook’s] Senate confirmation, and Governor Cook has never been given an opportunity to address them. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Trump officials puts Fema staffers on leave for signing open letter criticizing administration – as it happened

This live coverage has ended. You can find all of the latest US politics stories hereLev Menand, a law professor at Columbia law school, said Donald Trump’s attempt to fire Federal Reserve chief Lisa Cook is a “procedurally invalid removal under the statute”.Menand, who authored a book about the Fed’s actions during the coronavirus pandemic, also said for-cause firings are typically related to misconduct while in office, rather than based on private misconduct from before an official’s appointment. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Trump signals he has ‘somebody I like’ to replace Lisa Cook, as Fed governor sues over removal – live

President’s comment comes amid reporting that he wants to quickly nominate a replacement as Cook resists attempt to force her outLev Menand, a law professor at Columbia law school, said Donald Trump’s attempt to fire Federal Reserve chief Lisa Cook is a “procedurally invalid removal under the statute”.Menand, who authored a book about the Fed’s actions during the coronavirus pandemic, also said for-cause firings are typically related to misconduct while in office, rather than based on private misconduct from before an official’s appointment. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Trump urges Democrats to ‘call him’ to send troops to their cities in apparent attempt to legitimize threats of federal takeovers – live

Despite criticism of repeated threats to take over police and send in National Guard, president claims Democratic leaders should demand takeoversLev Menand, a law professor at Columbia law school, said Donald Trump’s attempt to fire Federal Reserve chief Lisa Cook is a “procedurally invalid removal under the statute”.Menand, who authored a book about the Fed’s actions during the coronavirus pandemic, also said for-cause firings are typically related to misconduct while in office, rather than based on private misconduct from before an official’s appointment. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago ‘Trump has no authority’: Lisa Cook’s lawyer vows to sue administration over attempted firing of Fed governor – live

Federal Reserve governor’s lawyer says Trump administration’s effort to fire her ‘lacks any factual or legal basis’Lisa Cook to sue Trump over attempt to fire herLev Menand, a law professor at Columbia law school, said Donald Trump’s attempt to fire Federal Reserve chief Lisa Cook is a “procedurally invalid removal under the statute”.Menand, who authored a book about the Fed’s actions during the coronavirus pandemic, also said for-cause firings are typically related to misconduct while in office, rather than based on private misconduct from before an official’s appointment. Continue reading...

Society

6 d. ago Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook to sue Trump administration over its attempt to fire her

Cook’s attorney said the president has ‘no authority’ and ‘lacks any factual or legal basis’ to fire the Fed governorThe Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook will sue the Trump administration over its bid to fire her over unconfirmed allegations of mortgage fraud, her attorney has said.Donald Trump announced he was firing Cook on Monday night, in an extraordinary move that marks the latest escalation in the US president’s attack on the central bank’s independence. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Top Democrats fire back against Trump’s plan to remove Federal Reserve governor as Lisa Cook vows to not resign – live

Lisa Cook says ‘no cause exists under the law’ for Trump to remove her; president is accused of ‘cobbling together’ mortgage fraud allegations against herTrump moves to fire Fed governor Lisa CookLev Menand, a law professor at Columbia law school, said Donald Trump’s attempt to fire Federal Reserve chief Lisa Cook is a “procedurally invalid removal under the statute”.Menand, who authored a book about the Fed’s actions during the coronavirus pandemic, also said for-cause firings are typically related to misconduct while in office, rather than based on private misconduct from before an official’s appointment. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Trump fires Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook — she says she’s not going anywhere

Cook rejects Trump’s allegations that she may have falsified records for her mortgage and vowed to push back against the president’s ‘attempted illegal action’

Politics

7 d. ago ‘No cause exists under the law’: Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook responds to Trump’s move to fire her – live

Lisa Cook says she will not resign after Trump accused of ‘cobbling together’ mortgage fraud allegations against herTrump moves to fire Fed governor Lisa CookLev Menand, a law professor at Columbia law school, said Donald Trump’s attempt to fire Federal Reserve chief Lisa Cook is a “procedurally invalid removal under the statute”.Menand, who authored a book about the Fed’s actions during the coronavirus pandemic, also said for-cause firings are typically related to misconduct while in office, rather than based on private misconduct from before an official’s appointment. Continue reading...

Society

7 d. ago Donald Trump 'sacks' Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook in never

Donald Trump has launched another move to exert his own influence over America's institutions by announcing the sacking of Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook - a first in its 111-year history

Politics

7 d. ago Trump moves to fire Fed governor Lisa Cook in escalating attack on bank’s independence

Departure of Cook, first Black woman to sit on central bank’s board, would allow US president to put forward a replacementDonald Trump has said he is firing the Federal Reserve governor, Lisa Cook, over allegations she committed mortgage fraud, in an extraordinary move that marks the latest escalation in the US president’s attack on the central bank’s independence.Trump wrote to Cook on Monday, telling her that he was removing her from her position “effective immediately”, based on the allegation from one of his allies that she had obtained a mortgage on a second home she incorrectly described as her primary residence. Continue reading...

Events

7 d. ago Federal Reserve governor 'fired' by Trump issues scathing rebuke claiming president has no authority over central bank

Cook's sacking was the first in the 111-year history of the Federal Reserve, as Trump all but guaranteed a replacement that would back the president's calls to slash interest rates.

Politics

7 d. ago Trump follows through on threat to fire Federal Reserve governor in ongoing feud with central bank

The move is a sharp escalation in his battle to exert greater control over what has long been considered an institution independent from day-to-day politics.

Events

7 d. ago Trump says he is firing Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook after alleging mortgage fraud

‘There is sufficient reason to believe you may have made false statements on one or more mortgage agreements,’ Trump wrote in a letter to Cook

Politics

1 week ago Fed governor urged by Trump to resign will not be ‘bullied’ into stepping down

Lisa Cook, first Black woman to sit on Fed board, responds after allegation by ally of president of mortgage fraudUS politics live – latest updatesDonald Trump has called on a Federal Reserve governor to immediately resign, renewing his extraordinary attack on the central bank’s independence as officials mull next steps on interest rates.A close Trump ally accused Lisa Cook, an appointee of Joe Biden, of “potentially committing mortgage fraud” and urged the US Department of Justice to investigate. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Trump calls on Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook to resign, renewing attack on central bank

Ally of the president has accused the first Black woman to sit on the central bank’s board of mortgage fraudUS politics live – latest updatesDonald Trump has called on a Federal Reserve governor to immediately resign, renewing his extraordinary attack on the central bank’s independence as officials mull next steps on interest rates.A close Trump ally accused Lisa Cook, an appointee of Joe Biden, of “potentially committing mortgage fraud” and urged the US Department of Justice to investigate. The claims have not been confirmed. Continue reading...

Politics