DOJ Opens Criminal Probe Into Fed Governor Lisa Cook

In response, Cook — who insisted Trump has “no authority” to do so — filed a lawsuit challenging his effort to oust her.

Cook argued in one legal filing that she had already listed mortgages on three properties on forms that she submitted to the White House and US Senate during the vetting process — and any inconsistencies were known when she was confirmed.

Lowell claimed that Cook was being targeted as part of Trump’s effort to force the Fed to lower interest rates.

Since Trump failed in forcing Fed Chair Jerome Powell to cut rates, he “took a swing at the next person at the plate,” Lowell said at the hearing. “She won’t go along with any interest rate drop.”

But DOJ lawyer Yaakov Roth said if the misstatements were intentional then the conduct is criminal, and at the very least the inconsistencies were negligent — making her unfit for the post and giving Trump grounds to sack her for cause.

Roth also said it was irrelevant whether Cook disclosed the papers during her confirmation.