In an unprecedented move, former President Donald Trump’s administration has sought the U.S. Supreme Court’s approval to dismiss Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, a decision that threatens the long-standing independence of the central bank. The legal battle, initiated on September 18, marks the first time a sitting president has attempted to remove a Fed official since its establishment in 1913. The Justice Department filed a request to overturn a September 9 ruling by U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb, which temporarily blocked Trump from firing Cook. Cobb determined that Trump’s allegations of mortgage fraud against Cook, which she denies, were insufficient grounds for removal under the Federal Reserve Act. Cook, appointed by President Joe Biden, participated in the Fed’s recent decision to cut interest rates by a quarter percentage point, a move aimed at addressing job market concerns. The legal dispute raises significant questions about the Fed’s autonomy in setting monetary policy, a cornerstone of its operational independence. Trump’s administration has argued that the president has ‘unreviewable discretion’ to remove Fed governors ‘for cause,’ though the law does not define what constitutes such cause. Cook, the first Black woman to serve as a Fed governor, has countered that Trump’s actions are politically motivated, stemming from her monetary policy stance. The case has broader implications for the global economy, as concerns over the Fed’s independence could undermine confidence in its ability to manage inflation and stabilize financial markets. The Supreme Court, with a 6-3 conservative majority, has previously sided with Trump in similar cases, but its stance on the Fed’s unique structure remains uncertain. The outcome of this legal battle could set a precedent for presidential authority over independent federal agencies.