Cook’s lawyer challenges inquiry and cites hearing conflict

Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook’s lawyer says she cannot attend a November 5 White House hearing because of official meetings in Europe, while challenging the inquiry panel’s impartiality. Abbe Lowell said Cook could appear only after the Federal Reserve’s December policy meeting, according to a letter sent Tuesday to White House counsel William Scharf. The White House announced the committee of inquiry last Friday. A White House memo said the panel will recommend whether there is cause to remove Cook. The hearing is part of the administration’s effort to provide her notice and an opportunity to respond, after the Supreme Court previously allowed her to remain in office while litigation continued and indicated the administration could try again under those conditions. Lowell wrote that Cook’s lawyers have significant concerns about the committee’s objectivity and fitness for its purpose. He cited member Kevin Hassett, a top economic adviser to President Donald Trump, who had previously said Trump had cause to fire Cook.