ISTANBUL (AA) - Former US economic officials urged the Supreme Court on Thursday to allow Lisa Cook to remain in office as a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.
The former officials, including those from the Fed and the Treasury Department, submitted opinions to the Court because of President Donald Trump's attempt to remove Cook.
The opinion in a letter emphasized that granting the government's request to remove Cook would expose the Fed to political influence.
The letter warned that the move would undermine public confidence in the Fed's independence and jeopardize the credibility and effectiveness of US monetary policy.
"Leaving Governor Cook as one of twelve voting members of the FOMC during the pendency of the case would maintain the status quo of independent policymaking, shore up the public’s perception of the Fed’s commitment to the long-term health of the economy, and allow Governor Cook’s challenge to her removal to play out at the ordinary pace of litigation,” it said.
Trump announced last month that he fired Cook, citing allegations of mortgage fraud.
Cook, in turn, filed a lawsuit to block Trump's attempt to remove her.
Washington District Judge Jia Cobb ruled that the "mortgage fraud" allegations against Cook were insufficient grounds for his removal, temporarily blocking her dismissal.
The Trump administration appealed the decision to temporarily halt Cook's dismissal, but an appeals court rejected the appeal.
Finally, the Trump administration appealed to the Supreme Court, seeking a stay of the lower court's decision blocking the dismissal of Cook.