Trump warns he will act against Lisa Cook after Supreme Court blocks attempt to fire Fed Governor

Following Supreme Court backing his powers to fire members of independent government agencies, US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he will take action against Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, saying his administration is committed to ensure that such people are not involved in decision making in the United States.

“The Cook Lawsuit, about her suitability to sit on the Board of the Federal Reserve, was sent back by the Supreme Court on a strictly procedural basis,” he said on Truth Social, “We will take Appropriate action immediately to ensure that someone who has committed wrongdoing will not be making vital decisions concerning the Welfare of the United States of America!"

last year but she challenged the decision in the Supreme Court, arguing that the US President does not have the legal authority to remove a Federal Governor without a clause. The Supreme Court on Monday blocked Trump’s attempt to fire Cook in a 5-4 decision.

In its ruling, the US top court said Trump can fire Federal Reserve governors for cause, but not “for any reason or no reason”. Trump “failed to give Cook the procedural protections” to which she was entitled, it said.

The ruling said: "Key to the Federal Reserve's design is not only the fact of independence but also the appearance of independence. "We see no reason to keep the public in the dark or to cast doubt on the standing of one of the most important financial institutions in our Nation (and the world)."

But the Supreme Court ruled Trump still has powers to fire members of independent government agencies. In a separate 6-3 ruling, the court rejected a plea from Democratic Federal Trade Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter that the president has the authority to remove "subordinates who exercise the president's power."

Trump also fired Slaughter without cause, as he did Cook, but Chief Justice John Roberts said independent agencies are not free of the President and responsive only to the American people.

The Democrats criticised the verdict but Trump welcomed it and said the ruling has "broadened presidential power at a time when it is most needed".

“This was a decision sought by Presidents of the United States for many years, even decades, dating back to the 1930’s,” Trump said in a social media post. "It is such an Honor to be the sitting President who won this Historic and Unprecedented Ruling, one of the most important ever given with respect to Presidential Powers.