Nearly 600 economists have signed an open letter expressing support for Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook and US central bank independence, as Cook battles President Donald Trump's attempt to fire her.

"Good economic policy requires credible monetary institutions," said the letter, whose 593 signatories as of Tuesday include Nobel laureates and former US government officials.

"Credible monetary institutions, in turn, require the independence of the Federal Reserve," the letter added.

The support came after Trump said on his Truth Social platform last week that he was immediately removing Cook over claims of mortgage fraud.

Cook, the first Black woman to serve on the Fed's board, is challenging her ouster in court.

On Tuesday, her lawyers pushed back on Trump's justification in firing

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