The White House gives Fed Governor Lisa Cook 21 days to respond in a second removal attempt

What happened

In a letter dated August 5, 2026, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino told Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook that President Trump was considering removing her over allegations she made false statements on 2021 mortgage applications. He gave her until August 26 to respond.

The letter said the notice was provided under the Supreme Court’s June 29 opinion in Trump v. Cook. The Court held 5-4 that Cook was entitled to notice and some opportunity to respond before removal for cause, and it blocked the August 2025 firing.

Cook’s lawyer Abbe Lowell answered on August 26 that an inadvertent error is not fraud and there is no legal basis to remove her. The letter had given her until that date. Lowell said there is no legal basis to remove her.

Who benefited

Trump gets a second route to remove a Fed governor, using the notice procedure the Supreme Court said was required. The first attempt, in August 2025, was blocked. The first attempt, in August 2025, was blocked by the Supreme Court’s June 29 ruling that Cook was entitled to notice and a chance to respond.

Who wanted something

The White House wants Cook removed over allegations about her 2021 mortgage applications, and it tried once before, in August 2025. The August 5 letter cites the Court’s opinion as the reason for the notice.

Who lost out

Cook, a sitting Federal Reserve governor, has to defend herself against removal for a second time. Her lawyer says an inadvertent error is not fraud and that there is no legal basis to remove her.

Why it matters

The Supreme Court’s ruling that required notice became the template for the second removal attempt. The Court blocked the August 2025 firing 5-4. The White House has now given the notice, and Cook has answered.

Sources Supreme Court of the United States (primary)SCOTUSblogAxiosAmerican BankerCNBC