Supreme Court Blocks Trump From Firing Fed Governor Lisa Cook in 5-4 Vote on June 29

The U.S. Supreme Court voted 5-4 yesterday (June 29) to block President Trump from immediately removing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook while her underlying lawsuit proceeds. Chief Justice John Roberts, joined by conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh and the three liberal justices, rejected Trump's request to overturn a lower court order protecting Cook's position. Roberts emphasized that "not only the fact of independence but also the appearance of independence is key to the Federal Reserve's design."

The Trump administration had sought Cook's dismissal over mortgage fraud allegations, which she has denied. The court found the administration failed to provide Cook required procedural protections before removal. However, the same 5-4 decision simultaneously upheld other Trump firings and broadened presidential authority to remove heads of certain independent agencies, signaling the court's willingness to expand executive power elsewhere despite this narrow protection for the Fed governor.