Brainard Sees Risk to Fed Bank Presidents From Trump’s Maneuvers

Former Federal Reserve Vice Chair Lael Brainard suggested there’s a real risk of multiple Fed district bank presidents getting removed from office next year as a result of politically charged maneuvering by President Donald Trump.

Brainard, who served on the Fed board from 2014 to 2023, spoke a day after Trump moved to oust Governor Lisa Cook over allegations that she falsified mortgage documents. Successfully taking out Cook would give Trump the chance of gaining a majority of his picks on the seven-member Board of Governors. The board is scheduled in February 2026 to vote on renewed terms for ...