Judge blocks Trump from firing Fed chair Lisa Cook

WASHINGTON -- A federal judge on Tuesday blocked US President Donald Trump from firing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, and ruled she must be immediately reinstated, local media reported.

US District Judge Jia Cobb ruled that Trump's effort to fire Cook over allegations of mortgage fraud that predated her time on the Fed board violated a federal law meant to insulate the interest-rate-setting body from political pressure.

Only Cook's conduct on the job could be grounds for removal, Cobb ruled. "The public interest in Federal Reserve independence weighs in favor of Cook's reinstatement."

On Aug 25, Trump fired Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook over allegations that she had committed mortgage fraud in connection with documents she signed for two residential properties she owns in Georgia and Michigan.

Cook denied any wrongdoing and filed a lawsuit on Aug 28, seeking to block Trump's attempt to remove her from her position.