Fed Gov. Lisa Cook seeks delay of Nov. 5 White House hearing
Why it matters: The clash tests Federal Reserve independence as President Donald Trump presses a fraud case that could justify firing her.
Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook asked to postpone a Nov. 5 White House hearing set up by President Donald Trump’s committee investigating mortgage fraud allegations against her, arguing the panel is biased and the date conflicts with official Fed travel. In a letter Tuesday to White House counsel Will Scharf, Cook’s lawyer Abbe Lowell said she will be in Europe for financial and monetary policy meetings and then preparing for the Federal Open Market Committee meeting on Dec. 8-9. Lowell said the three-member committee includes “demonstrably biased” members and cited unspecified additional allegations. Trump has accused Cook of 2021 mortgage fraud, which she denies. No criminal charges have been filed.