President Donald Trump’s attempt to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook has triggered a clash over the central bank’s independence.

On Monday, Trump declared that Cook’s dismissal was “effective immediately,” citing allegations that she misrepresented mortgage applications years before joining the Fed.

The claims, promoted by Bill Pulte, the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and a close Trump ally, have not resulted in charges or any finding of wrongdoing.

Cook, the first Black woman to serve on the Fed’s Board of Governors, is refusing to step aside.

“I have no intention of being bullied to step down from my position because of some questions raised in a tweet,” she said last week. “I do intend to take any questions about my financial history seriously as a member of the

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