Filed Date: Aug. 28, 2025
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding in progress
This case challenges President Donald J. Trump’s attempt to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa D. Cook. On August 15, 2025, Federal Housing Finance Agency Director William Pulte sent a referral letter to the Department of Justice accusing Cook of mortgage fraud related to her 2021 loan applications (prior to her Senate confirmation). On August 20, 2025, Director Pulte publicly released the referral letter, and within 30 minutes, President Trump demanded Cook’s resignation on social media. Two days later, on August 22, 2025, President Trump told reporters he would fire Cook if she did not resign. On August 25, 2025, President Trump posted a letter on Truth Social purporting to fire Governor Cook “effective immediately,” without providing her prior notice or an opportunity to respond.
Cook responded with this lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on August 28, 2025, by private lawyers and the Democracy Defenders Fund. Her complaint asserts that President Trump’s action violates the Federal Reserve Act (FRA), which permits removal of Board members only “for cause.” The complaint contends that the unsubstantiated, pre-confirmation mortgage allegations do not meet this standard, rendering the President’s actions unlawful. It further alleges that Governor Cook was denied her statutory right to notice and a hearing under the FRA, as well as her Fifth Amendment due process rights, because she was deprived of her property interest in her position without any process. The complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief to confirm Cook’s continued status as a Board member, prevent enforcement of her removal, and uphold the independence of the Federal Reserve. She simultaneously sought a temporary restraining order.
The case was assigned to Judge Jia Cobb, who set a hearing for August 29, 2025. Play-by-play on that hearing is here.
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71218248/parties/cook-v-trump/
Eisen, Norman Larry (District of Columbia)
Kolansky, David A. (District of Columbia)
Lowell, Abbe David (District of Columbia)
Mays, Tianna Jade (District of Columbia)
Chadwick, Joshua P. (District of Columbia)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71218248/cook-v-trump/
Last updated Aug. 28, 2025, 10:04 p.m.
State / Territory: District of Columbia
Case Type(s):
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: Aug. 28, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
Case Details
Available Documents: