In an effort to comply with the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling (SCOTUS), the Trump administration is once again seeking to remove Federal Reserve (Fed) Governor Lisa Cook from her post over allegations of mortgage fraud, this time, as instructed by the high court.
On Aug. 5, 2026, White House aide Dan Scavino issued Cook a letter advising the Governor that President Donald Trump is “considering removing” her “due to sufficient reason to believe that you made false statements on one or more mortgage agreements.”
High Court Dismisses Initial Attempt; Allows Future One
The White House’s effort comes just over a month after the high court ruled in favor of Cook, arguing that President Donald Trump’s attempt to fire the Fed Governor was invalid because she wasn’t given due process.
SCOTUS, however, did not prevent President Trump from attempting to remove her again; instead, it affirmed that the administration would have to take additional steps to proceed with her firing.
According to Chief Justice John Roberts, issuing Cook a formal notice and ample time to respond is enough for “the courts” to “assess the validity and sufficiency of such charges.”
In the recent letter, Scavino granted Governor Cook until Aug. 26, 2026, to respond with an explanation and to provide “accompanying evidence.”
Cook's Alleged Mortgage Fraud
President Trump’s measure against Cook comes after Acting Director of U.S. National Intelligence Bill Pulte issued a criminal referral against the Fed Governor during his time as Federal Housing Finance Agency Director.
In the referral, Pulte accused Cook of committing mortgage fraud by declaring both her homes in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Atlanta, Georgia as her “primary residence.”
According to Cook’s lawyer, Cook’s designation of her Ann Arbor home as her “primary residence” in a June 2021 mortgage refinancing application was accurate.
A month later, she purchased a condominium in Atlanta and mistakenly notated it as her “primary residence.” But in her previous mortgage application in May 2021 and in federal filings, she referred to it as a “vacation” or second home.
