Politics

Cook's lawyers say White House inquiry panel is biased

Her lawyer says Cook cannot attend a Nov. 5 hearing, while she denies Trump's 2021 mortgage fraud accusation.

Updated Oct 14, 2026 · 22:13 UTC3 reports

The short version

Lawyers for Fed governor Lisa Cook say a White House-created committee investigating her lacks impartiality.[PBS NewsHour · ABC News · Associated Press]
Cook's lawyer Abbe Lowell said in a letter that she cannot attend a Nov. 5 hearing because of official duties at European monetary policy meetings.[PBS NewsHour · ABC News · Associated Press]
Trump has accused Cook of mortgage fraud in 2021, before she joined the Fed board; she denies the claim.[PBS NewsHour · ABC News · Associated Press]
Her lawyers did not rule out an eventual appearance before the panel, so whether she testifies remains unresolved.[PBS NewsHour · ABC News · Associated Press]

Cook's lawyers say a committee set up by the White House to investigate an accusation against her is demonstrably biased.[PBS NewsHour · ABC News · Associated Press]
Lawyer Abbe Lowell said in a letter that Cook cannot participate in a Nov. 5 hearing because she will perform official duties at financial and monetary policy meetings in Europe.[PBS NewsHour · ABC News · Associated Press]
President Donald Trump has accused Cook of committing mortgage fraud in 2021, before she joined the board; Cook denies the claim.[PBS NewsHour · ABC News · Associated Press]

It is unresolved whether Cook will appear before the panel, because her lawyers did not rule out an eventual appearance.[ABC News · Associated Press]
The mortgage fraud accusation is disputed: Trump has made it, and Cook denies it, so its validity is not established by this reporting.[PBS NewsHour · ABC News · Associated Press]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.