White House economic adviser advises Federal Reserve Governor Cook to take temporary leave during litigation

Lisa Cook should be furloughed while she litigates the fate of the Federal Reserve board of governors, the director of the White House National Economic Council said on Wednesday. "If I were in her situation, I would be furloughed now," Mr. Hassett told reporters on Wednesday, adding that he thought it was "decent practice". Mr. Hassett said he believed the president had the right to fire Mr. Cook: "The president absolutely has the right to fire a Fed governor for good cause, and I think the allegations are serious". Mr. Trump wrote to Mr. Cook on Monday saying he had removed her "with immediate effect", citing allegations by his White House allies that she improperly claimed both properties were primary residences in two mortgage applications. Trump has previously publicly considered nominating Hassett as the next Federal Reserve chairperson.