DoJ opens criminal investigation into Fed Governor Lisa Cook

Cook’s attorneys say she did not commit mortgage fraud, and is being targeted by the Trump administration to undermine the Federal Reserve’s independence. Continue reading

Fed Governor Lisa Cook didn’t commit mortgage fraud: attorneys

Hundreds of economists say Trump adminstration’s move to fire Cook “threatens the fundamental principle of central bank independence and undermines trust in one of America’s most important institutions.” Continue reading

ICYMI, all the latest on Trump, the Fed, mortgage rates and more

Last week, Inman staff writers and contributors had governmental and economic shifts on the brain, writing about rates, sales trends and the national debt. Continue reading

Court punts on Trump’s move to remove Fed Governor Lisa Cook

A judge gave attorneys for the Fed governor until Sept. 2 to bolster their argument that she should keep her job, as Bill Pulte leveled new allegations of misrepresentation on a third property. Continue reading

Why Trump’s moves to control Fed could send mortgage rates higher

If bond market investors get cold feet about buying government debt and mortgage-backed securities, that could push long-term interest rates higher, even if the Fed cuts short-term rates. Continue reading

Fed governor sues Trump over ‘unprecedented and illegal’ firing

Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook filed a lawsuit against President Trump on Thursday alleging that his attempted firing of her was illegal without him showing “cause” for her termination. Continue reading

Trump says he has ousted Fed governor, defying precedent

Trump has attempted to remove Lisa Cook from the rate-setting board over allegations made by the head of FHFA. Cook has denied wrongdoing and said she would continue serving on the board. Continue reading

Mortgage rates drop sharply as Powell shifts stance on rate cuts

Investors pushed bond yields and mortgage rates down Friday after Fed chair says policymakers are starting to see unemployment as a bigger risk to the U.S. economy than inflation. Continue reading

Pulte dismisses claims he is ‘weaponizing’ mortgage fraud

A “Wall Street Journal” editorial calls Pulte’s criminal referral of Federal Reserve governor “an ominous turn in political lawfare” and warns that “weaponizing” Fannie and Freddie’s federal regulator “won’t build confidence in America’s institutions o… Continue reading

Trump tells Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook to ‘resign now’

The president asked Cook to resign from her post after FHFA Director Bill Pulte accused her of mortgage fraud. Pulte has leveled similar accusations against other political adversaries Continue reading