President Donald Trump vowed to continue efforts to remove Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve's board following an adverse Supreme Course ruling.
In a social media post, Trump said that the lawsuit, "having to do with her suitability in sitting on the Board of the Federal Reserve, was sent back by the Supreme Court on a strictly procedural basis."
"We will take appropriate action immediately to make sure that someone who has committed wrongdoing will not be making vital decisions concerning the Welfare of the United States of America," Trump added.
The ruling in question blocked Trump's attempt to remove Cook, leaving her in office while the legal challenge over her dismissal returns to the lower courts.
In a 5-4 decision, the high court ruled that Trump failed to provide Cook with the procedural protections required under federal law before attempting to remove her.
Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, said Cook had not been given the opportunity to properly respond to the allegations made against her before the dismissal was announced, according to Reuters.
Roberts was joined by fellow conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh and the court's three liberal justices in the vote. The majority emphasized that the decision addressed only whether the statutory removal procedures had been followed and did not determine whether Trump's allegations against Cook were valid, The New York Times reported.
"It at least remains an open question what precisely happened here, and indeed whether Cook committed 'gross negligence,' let alone 'deceitful and potentially criminal conduct,' as the president's letter alleges," Roberts wrote, adding that Cook must be allowed to challenge those accusations before any removal process can proceed.
The accusation in question claims that Cook committed mortgage fraud. She denied the allegations against her and welcomed the court's decision, saying it reaffirmed the Federal Reserve's obligation to make monetary policy decisions independently and free from political interference.
The legal dispute now returns to the lower courts, where judges will consider the factual claims underlying Trump's effort to remove Cook. The Supreme Court made clear that its ruling does not prevent the administration from continuing the case through the normal judicial process, but simply bars Cook's immediate removal while litigation continues, Fox News Digital reported.
