President Donald Trump reacted sharply on Tuesday when CBS News correspondent Nancy Cordes asked if his administration was “weaponizing” the government.
The question came during a cabinet meeting, a day after Trump announced on Truth Social that he had fired Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. Cook, the first Black woman to serve on the Federal Reserve Board, denied the allegations and stated she would not resign. She also challenged the legality of her dismissal, arguing that Trump did not have the authority to remove her.
During the Q&A, Cordes asked, “You have spoken out very strongly for a long time about what you see as the weaponization of government. Is your administration weaponizing government by digging into the mortgage records of officials you don’t like?”
Trump’s answer was harsh and quick.
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“No,” he said. “They’re public. I mean, you can find out those records. You can go check out the records yourself; and you should be doing that job, actually. You wouldn’t do that because that’s not the kind of reporter you are. But you should be doing that job. I shouldn’t have to be doing it. If you did your job properly, we wouldn’t have problems like Lisa Cook.”
REPORTER: You have spoken out very strongly about the weaponization of government. Is your government weaponizing government by digging into the mortgage records of officials you don’t like?
TRUMP: No. They’re public. pic.twitter.com/78OCFRzbeh
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 26, 2025
Legal experts note that the Federal Reserve operates independently, and the president can remove a governor only “for cause,” such as malfeasance or neglect of duty. The term “for cause” has been interpreted to include inefficiency, neglect of duty, or wrongdoing in office, as affirmed by the 1935 Supreme Court case Humphrey’s Executor v. United States. Whether Governor Cook’s alleged actions meet this standard is unclear and could lead to a legal challenge.
Cook’s term on the Federal Reserve Board was set to last until 2038. If her dismissal is upheld, President Trump could nominate a replacement, potentially changing the board’s balance in line with his economic policies. Observers warn that such a move may weaken the Federal Reserve’s independence, affecting public trust in its decisions. This could have long-term economic effects, including higher inflation and borrowing costs.
Featured image via X screengrab
