In a dramatic escalation of executive power disputes, the Trump administration has urgently requested the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene and allow President Donald Trump to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook from her position while her legal challenge unfolds, as Breitbart reports.

This case, centered on allegations of pre-appointment misconduct by Cook, tests the boundaries of presidential authority over "for cause" removals and could reshape how much power a president holds over key government appointments.

The controversy began with claims about Cook’s actions before her 2022 appointment by President Joe Biden to the Federal Reserve Board, where she was later reappointed in 2023 for a term ending in 2038.

Allegations of misconduct surface

Allegations emerged that in 2021, Cook provided inconsistent statements about her primary residence on mortgage applications for properties in Michigan and Georgia.

Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, brought these claims to public attention and referred them to the Justice Department for investigation.

While prosecutors have initiated a probe, Cook has not been charged and has firmly denied any wrongdoing, labeling the removal attempt as a politically motivated attack on the Federal Reserve’s independence.

Legal battles intensify

On Sept. 9, U.S. District Judge Jia M. Cobb issued a temporary order blocking Cook’s removal, reasoning that "for cause" protections do not apply to personal conduct before taking office.

Judge Cobb also highlighted concerns about whether Cook received adequate notice and a chance to respond to the allegations.

A divided U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upheld this decision in a 2-1 ruling, with Judges Bradley N. Garcia and J. Michelle Childs in the majority, while Judge Gregory G. Katsas dissented, asserting the president had valid reasons tied to Cook’s "integrity and competence."

Trump pushes for immediate action

Following the appellate court’s decision, which came just before a Federal Reserve policy meeting, Cook was able to participate in a significant interest rate cut decision on Wednesday.

On Thursday, the Trump administration filed an emergency request with Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., seeking an immediate administrative stay to allow Cook’s removal while her lawsuit continues.

The filing, led by Solicitor General D. John Sauer, also requests a full stay pending appeal after further briefing on the matter.

Core arguments underscore presidential power debate

Sauer argued that courts should only confirm if a valid reason for removal exists, not reevaluate its weight, especially when Congress hasn’t defined specific grounds for dismissal.

He described the lower court’s involvement as "judicial micromanagement" and insisted that any required due process was already provided, stating, "Due process is a flexible concept; whatever process is due to principal officers was provided here."

The administration further contends that limiting "for cause" to actions during office is impractical, warning it could prevent removals even for serious pre-appointment misconduct.