Trump's Terms Supreme Court doubtful of Trump claim he can fire Fed governors by fiat
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Jan 22, 2026 
Nina Totenberg, NPR's legal affairs correspondent, dives into the Supreme Court's deliberations on President Trump's attempt to fire Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook. She discusses the Court's skepticism about Trump's authority to remove Cook without judicial review. Topics include potential impacts on Fed independence and the government's justification for such a move. Totenberg also highlights the broader implications for future presidential actions against Fed officials. Tune in for an insightful look at this significant legal battle!
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Court Doubts Unchecked Presidential Firing Power
- The Supreme Court showed skepticism about a president's absolute power to fire Fed governors without process.
- Justices from both ideological wings questioned using unreviewable removals to bypass Fed independence.
Firing Announced On Truth Social
- President Trump publicly announced Lisa Cook's firing on Truth Social and accused her of mortgage fraud.
- Cook strongly denied the allegation through lawyers while the Court reviewed the administration's emergency request.
Sotomayor's Personal Move Example
- Justice Sotomayor recounted moving and renovating before a big appointment to illustrate how past actions can be misunderstood.
- She used her Supreme Court experience to question whether alleged mistakes necessarily indicate misconduct.