Trump Names Committee to Hear Case for Firing Fed Governor Lisa Cook at Nov. 5 White House Hearing

President Trump has created a three-member "committee of inquiry" to examine allegations that Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook made false statements on mortgage documents and to recommend whether there is cause to remove her, a presidential memorandum dated Wednesday, Oct. 7 says. The White House posted it on its website.

The members are Kevin Hassett, assistant to the president for economic policy; Andrea Lucas, chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; and Keith Sonderling, acting director of the Office of Government Ethics. The memorandum names no one from outside the executive branch. It lets the committee consult Justice Department personnel and other agency staff.

The committee is to hold an in-person hearing at the White House on Nov. 5, two days after the Nov. 3 election. The hearing is limited to four hours, closed to the public and transcribed. Cook must appear and be examined by the committee, its representatives and her lawyer, and she may present argument, written evidence and written witness statements. The committee must give her the evidence it is considering before the hearing. She may file a written position statement at least three days earlier, and a post-hearing statement by Nov. 10. The committee then submits written findings of fact and conclusions of law to Trump with a recommendation on cause.

"As President, it is my job to ensure the laws are faithfully executed, including by firing subordinates who cannot be trusted to tell the truth and follow the law," Trump wrote in the memorandum.

In August 2025, Federal Housing Finance Agency Director William Pulte accused Cook of mortgage fraud, and Trump tried to fire her on Aug. 25, 2025. She sued. On June 29, the Supreme Court denied the government's request to let the firing take effect while the case continues. The vote was 5-4, and Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the opinion. The court said Cook was entitled to notice of the charges and a chance to respond before removal, though not a full judicial trial. It did not decide whether the alleged conduct amounts to cause.

Cook's lawyers, Norm Eisen and Abbe Lowell, said Friday, Oct. 9, that they have "grave doubts that this 'hearing' is a legitimate one that would conform to the law," citing Trump's repeated statements that he has already decided to fire her. They said that if the process is "anything close to objective," it will find that Cook did not commit mortgage fraud. "Governor Cook welcomes the opportunity to present the facts so she can clear her name," they said.