Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggested Tuesday that Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook 's refusal to willingly leave office after President Donald Trump said he was firing her supported the claim that she had committed mortgage fraud.

"A governor of the Federal Reserve literally signs her name and commits mortgage fraud, right?" Lutnick said on CNBC's "Squawk Box," a day after Trump told Cook he was ousting her from the central bank.

"It's alleged that she's committed mortgage fraud, and she says 'I'm not going anywhere,'" Lutnick said.

"Well, the crook always says 'I'm not going anywhere.'"

Cook said Monday night that Trump "has no authority" to fire her because he lacked any legal cause to do so.

"I will not resign," said Cook, who has not been charged or conv

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