The Supreme Court of the United States has announced it will hear oral arguments in January 2026 regarding a request by former President Donald Trump to remove Lisa Cook from her position as a governor on the Federal Reserve Board. Cook will remain in her role until the court’s decision.
This case follows a previous ruling by the court, which granted Trump the authority to remove members of certain independent agencies, a decision that drew criticism from legal experts who argued these agencies are designed to operate independently from presidential influence, similar to judicial bodies. The initial ruling included a specific exception for the Federal Reserve, also recognized as an independent agency.
Last week, the Supreme Court preliminarily authorized Trump to remove Rebecca Slaughter, a commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). A final decision on Slaughter’s case is expected in December and may provide insights into the court’s upcoming deliberations concerning Governor Cook.
The Federal Reserve was established to operate independently from the White House and Congress, aiming to safeguard against political interference. This structure is intended to ensure the Fed prioritizes long-term economic stability and avoids decisions influenced by electoral cycles. Economists have expressed concern that increased political dependence could lead to overly loose monetary policy and ultimately contribute to rising inflation.