Highlights
- DOJ is investigating whether Fed governor Lisa Cook submitted fraudulent mortgage application information.
- This development comes ahead of the September FOMC.
- Investigators have issued subpoenas as part of the criminal inquiry, U.S. officials confirmed.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has opened a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, just days before the central bank’s key Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting. The market is pricing in a 25 basis points (bps), which is likely to happen irrespective of whether Cook votes or not.
DOJ Launches Investigation Into Lisa Cook
According to a WSJ report, the DOJ’s probe centers on whether the Fed Governor submitted fraudulent information on mortgage applications. This follows a criminal referral from the FHFA Chair, Bill Pulte.
The allegations against Cook, the first Black woman appointed to the Federal Reserve Board, have sparked a political and legal firestorm. Investigators are examining whether Cook improperly claimed more than one primary residence to secure favorable mortgage terms, a potential violation of federal fraud statutes. While no charges have been filed, the DOJ’s decision to escalate the inquiry marks a significant development ahead of the Fed’s September policy meeting.
Former President Donald Trump, who has previously clashed with the Fed over interest rate policy, seized on the controversy, calling for Cook’s removal. “We need a Federal Reserve that works for the American people, not for corrupt insiders,” Trump said, echoing a broader push by his allies to reshape the central bank’s governing body. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump is actively seeking to install a majority at the Fed that would align with his preference for rapid rate cuts to spur growth.
Trump’s Removal Push and Legal Challenge Intensify
The political dimensions of the investigation are becoming clearer, particularly as the legal battle intensifies. As CoinGape reported, Lisa Cook has filed a lawsuit against Trump, arguing that attempts to fire her violate both Federal Reserve independence and statutory protections for board members. Cook’s legal team, led by prominent attorney Abbe Lowell, maintains that the case represents an unprecedented threat to central bank autonomy.
Trump, for his part, has insisted that Cook’s position is untenable given the ongoing probe and his administration’s vision for the Fed. His allies have signalled they would prioritise filling vacancies with candidates favouring looser monetary policy. This stance could reshape the Fed’s direction at a critical juncture for the U.S. economy.
Role in Upcoming FOMC Rate Decision
The timing of the investigation is particularly significant, given Cook’s expected role in next week’s FOMC decision. Markets are anticipating at least a 25 basis point interest rate cut as inflation shows signs of moderation, according to the CME FedWatch Tool. Cook, a noted dove on the board, has previously supported accommodative measures to sustain labor market strength and bolster growth.
Polymarket data suggests investors still expect Lisa Cook to cast her vote in the upcoming meeting despite the legal cloud, with betting odds showing confidence that she will not be sidelined before the decision. Analysts believe her dovish stance could prove pivotal if the committee faces a split between maintaining restrictive rates or easing policy further.
The broader implications for the Federal Reserve are profound. The outcome of the DOJ probe, coupled with Trump’s political pressure campaign, could set precedents for future challenges to the independence of central bank officials. For investors, the uncertainty underscores the delicate balance between politics, law, and monetary policy as the Fed prepares to shape the trajectory of the U.S. economy in the months ahead.
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