US top court bars Trump from ousting Fed governor

WASHINGTON: The US Supreme Court on Monday barred President Donald Trump from removing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, upholding the central bank’s independence in a significant ruling even as it expanded presidential powers over other government agencies.

In a 5-4 decision, the court blocked Trump’s bid to fire Cook, citing the lack of proper procedural safeguards. The move provides a key protection for the Federal Reserve against political interference, an issue that has become a flashpoint in the president’s second term.

Safeguard for Fed independence

Chief Justice John Roberts authored the majority opinion, joined by Justice Brett Kavanaugh and the three liberal justices. He stressed that Federal Reserve governors serve fixed 14-year terms and can only be removed “for cause,” a protection rooted in the institution’s history since 1913 to shield monetary policy from short-term political pressures.

The case centred on unproven allegations of mortgage fraud against Cook, the first Black woman to serve on the Fed board. Trump attempted to dismiss her in August 2025, but the court ruled she was entitled to due process to contest the charges.

Cook welcomed the decision, saying it affirmed the Fed’s duty to set policy based solely on the economic interests of the American people rather than political demands.

The ruling does not resolve the factual disputes, which may return to lower courts, but it firmly upholds the structural independence of the world’s most influential central bank. Cook’s term is set to run until 2038.

Wider presidential authority

In a separate 6-3 decision, the court ruled in favour of President Donald Trump, allowing him to remove a member of the Federal Trade Commission. The ruling overturned a 1935 legal precedent and gave the president more authority over some independent federal agencies.

Some judges disagreed with the ruling in the Federal Reserve case, saying the president should have more freedom to remove officials. Trump said the court’s decision in the Cook case could lead to further action.

The rulings come as differences continue between the Trump administration and the Federal Reserve. Trump has called for faster interest rate cuts as part of his wider efforts to increase presidential authority. Kevin Warsh became Federal Reserve chair earlier this year after Jerome Powell’s term ended.