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United States President Donald Trump has renewed his effort to oust Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, requiring her to respond within 21 days to claims that she provided false information on mortgage applications.
The White House notified Cook in a letter dated August 5, signed by Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino, according to a copy seen by AFP on Friday.
“You are hereby provided notice that the President is considering removing you from your position,” the letter said.
Cook has until August 26 to respond to the allegations, which she has denied.
The latest move follows a June Supreme Court ruling that blocked Trump’s earlier attempt to fire Cook without giving her an opportunity to respond.
The court said Trump had failed to provide Cook with the procedural protections required by law.
It did not rule on whether the mortgage allegations were true.
Trump’s attempt to remove Cook is unprecedented in the 111-year history of the US central bank and has raised new concerns about the independence of the Federal Reserve.
The Fed is a non-partisan institution responsible for setting monetary policy in the world’s largest economy.
Its governors are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
The White House letter accused Cook of conduct that was “grossly negligent” and said it showed she was “unfit for the office.”
Cook, the first Black woman to serve as a Federal Reserve governor, has repeatedly rejected the allegations.
After the Supreme Court ruling, she said the case was an attempt to remove her “on a manufactured pretext” because she refused to bow to political pressure and continued to make interest-rate decisions based on what she believed was best for Americans.
Trump has also opened a criminal investigation into former Fed Chair Jerome Powell, as he continues to challenge the central bank’s independence.
Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren criticised the latest move, accusing Trump of “once again trying to illegally take over America’s central bank.”
She said Democrats would “fight back to make sure he fails.”
