About this episode

The episode discusses the legal implications of President Trump's attempt to terminate Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook amidst allegations of misconduct.

In his second term as President, Donald J. Trump has set about remaking the federal government. Recently the President sought to terminate Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, asserting that she allegedly engaged in mortgage fraud and that this alleged misconduct constituted legal “cause” for her removal. Cook has denied the allegations and sued to retain her position. Thus far, a federal district court has issued a preliminary injunction preventing her removal. The Trump administration has filed a notice of appeal. Cook’s case raises a number of fascinating legal questions: Could the alleged mortgage fraud, which is claimed to have occurred prior to her appointment to the Federal Reserve, constitute “cause” for termination? The district court said no. Cook also asserted that her termination was procedurally improper. The district court indicated its agreement, stating that the “removal also likely violated Cook’s procedural rights under the Fifth Amendment’s Due Process Clause.” As Cook’s case proceeds through the legal system, federal courts, including possibly the Supreme Court, will have to address whether her claims are justiciable – that is, whether they are capable of being…

People in this episode

Host: Rodger Citron

Guest: Beau J. Baumann

Topics covered

• legal issues
• federal government
• termination of officials
• due process
• mortgage fraud
• judicial review

Keywords

• Trump
• Federal Reserve
• Lisa Cook
• mortgage fraud
• due process
• legal questions
• court case

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Federal Reserve, Justice Department, Yale

More episodes of Touro Law Review Podcast

• The Major Questions Doctrine, the Tariffs Case, and the Civil Service: A Conversation with Professor Peter M. Shane · April 21, 2026 · 1h 5m
• All Hail Hanna: Berk v. Choy and Choosing Between Federal and State Law · February 2, 2026 · 54 min
• The President's Removal Power: A Discussion with Professor Ilan Wurman · January 14, 2026 · 56 min
• Congress, the President, and Tariffs: Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump at the Supreme Court · October 28, 2025 · 50 min
• Law in Literature: The Case of Hollow Spaces · October 10, 2025 · 47 min
• Drawing the Lines: Gerrymandering and Election Law · September 18, 2025 · 43 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Touro Law Review Podcast podcast page.