President Donald Trump has launched a renewed effort to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. He established a three-member committee of his appointees to investigate allegations involving mortgage paperwork for two properties. The White House announced the panel on Friday, October 9, 2026, and set an in-person hearing for November 5 to address procedural requirements outlined by the Supreme Court.
The newly formed committee addresses procedural hurdles established earlier this year. In a 5-4 ruling in June, the Supreme Court blocked Cook’s immediate removal. The court held that she was entitled to proper notice and an opportunity to respond before any dismissal, though it left open the legal definition of “cause” under federal law.
Details of the White House Inquiry Panel
According to the presidential memorandum, the three-member committee includes Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling, who also serves as acting director of the Office of Government Ethics. It also includes National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Chair Andrea Lucas. Hassett, a prominent defender of Trump’s economic agenda, was previously considered for the position of Federal Reserve chair.
The panel must review evidence and determine whether sufficient “cause” exists to remove Cook from the Fed’s Board of Governors. It will report its findings directly to the president. The closed-door, transcribed hearing is scheduled for November 5 at the White House and will last no longer than four hours. Under the established rules, Cook must appear and will face questioning from the committee, its representatives, and Department of Justice personnel.
Legal Defense and Background of the Dispute
Cook’s attorneys, Abbe Lowell and Norm Eisen, stated that they contacted the White House to evaluate whether the proposed proceedings would offer a genuine opportunity to respond instead of acting merely as a procedural formality.
"In light of the President's repeated statements that he has already decided to fire Governor Cook – regardless of the facts and evidence – we have grave doubts that this ‘hearing’ is a legitimate one that would conform to the law," Cook’s legal team noted in a shared statement.
The underlying dispute stems from a 2021 Atlanta condominium purchase. Cook designated the property as her primary residence on at least one document while simultaneously maintaining a home in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with the same designation. Cook’s legal team described the Atlanta labeling as an inadvertent clerical oversight. They pointed to separate records where the property was correctly classified as a vacation home.
Next Steps in the Legal and Administrative Process
Under the committee’s timeline, Cook may submit a written position statement at least three days before the November 5 hearing. She can also provide a post-hearing written statement by November 10. Following these submissions, the committee will submit its formal findings and recommendations to the White House.
The committee’s proceedings coincide with ongoing legal scrutiny. The hearing is scheduled just one day before U.S. District Court Judge Jia Cobb is expected to receive a joint status report from both sides regarding how the broader litigation surrounding Cook’s employment status should proceed.
