President Donald Trump posted a statement Sunday night calling on U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb to recuse herself from presiding over the lawsuit by Federal Reserve Board of Governors member Lisa Cook challenging Trump’s firing of her from the Fed last Monday over allegations of mortgage fraud.
Cook filed suit on Thursday. Cobb held a hearing Friday in D.C., but made no immediate ruling reported CNN (excerpt):
Cobb has asked for more written arguments to be submitted to her by next Tuesday. It’s possible she rules after then, or takes additional time to sift through how to best proceed with the case. Her options include setting it on an expedited track for a prompt resolution of Cook’s underlying claims.
Though Cobb, an appointee of former President Joe Biden, held off for now on making an initial ruling in the case, she also made clear that she wasn’t prepared to fully buy into arguments pushed by either Cook or Trump.
The judge pushed back on a suggestion by Justice Department attorney Yaakov Roth that federal courts have no authority to second-guess a decision by a president to fire a member of the Federal Reserve “for cause.” But even with that judicial power, Cobb said, there still may be some level of deference by a court to the president’s decision-making.
Trump posted a copy of a statement issued Thursday by the Delta Sigma Theta sorority–that both Cobb and Cook belong to–that expresses support for Cook, “This is a total Conflict of Interest. The Judge must RECUSE IMMEDIATELY!!! President DJT.”
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) September 1, 2025
Trump also noted Cobb is the same judge blocking fast track deportations this week, “Same Judge as on Fed Case. I wonder how that happened??? Must recuse!!! President DJT “Federal judge blocks Trump effort to expand fast-track deportations”
International President Cheryl W. Turner has released the following statement in support of Soror Lisa D. Cook:
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated Stands With Dr. Lisa D. Cook
“Dr. Lisa D. Cook was vetted, confirmed, and is uniquely qualified to serve on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. Undermining her role is not just about one individual — it is a threat to the independence of the Federal Reserve and carries grave economic implications for families and communities. We also see a troubling pattern of efforts to discredit leaders and experts who are eminently qualified and prepared to lead and to serve. As a women’s organization — and a champion of justice, scholarship, service, and economic development for 112 years — Delta Sigma Theta unequivocally opposes any measures that silence Black women, whose voices and leadership remain vital to the progress of our nation.”
According to Judge Cobb’s Senate confirmation questionnaire, she is an honored member of Delta Sigma Theta:
“Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., National Collegiate Member of the Year (2002)”
Cobb was still a member in 2021 when she was nominated by President Joe Biden, though inactive:
“Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (2002 – present)
Member ( currently inactive)”
Cobb acknowledged that Delta Sigma Theta is a women’s only organization:
“Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is a national service organization that admits
only women. I have taken no action to change that policy. To the best of my
knowledge, none of the other organizations or groups currently discriminates or
formerly discriminated on the basis of race, sex, religion, or national origin either
through formal membership requirements or the practical implementation of
membership policies.”
The Federal Reserve posted a transcript of Cook’s 2023 address to Delta Sigma Theta(excerpt):
Delta’s dedication to learning and public service gave us an advantage in considering the mission that would occupy our lives.
We thought about the change we could make and the influence we could have.
We did the advanced calculus that measured the goodness of trouble against the enormity of student debt payments.
We knew we wanted work—whether a professional calling or life’s work—that, as Soror Alice said, we loved “for its sake.”
While I do not always have a buoyant step, and “gladsome” is probably not the first word I would use to describe myself, I do love my work for its sake, which is a tremendous gift. And I was drawn to Delta, because I wanted to be surrounded by people who would use their talents and passions to improve the lives and well-being of all people in the world.
Why am I bringing this up today?
I am sticking to the assignment: Deltas embracing the past and shaping the future. We are here to commemorate our founders, our forebears, and the ties that bind us. To celebrate the ways that Delta’s esteemed history brought each of us through its doors, and how membership helped to shape who we are and who we are yet to become.
And Delta, along with other Divine Nine organizations, can be key to shaping the future of economics.
Diversity is critical to any profession, but particularly to those—like economics—that tend toward the homogenous. Or those—like economics—that affect people’s daily lives. As policymakers, my colleagues and I make decisions that impact the entire country. We are driven by data, which we collect in abundance. But our own experiences, including our education, professional experience, and personal understanding, inform how we seek out that data and discern what it means for the future.
As with any discipline, different perspectives formulate different questions whose answers reveal new truths. Economic conundrums persist, including disparities in pay, economic mobility, and generational wealth. Solutions are more likely to come if each wave of newly minted economists reflects the makeup of the country. And both the country and the profession need the deepest, broadest talent pool possible to keep up with a constantly evolving economy.
I believe Delta can be a source of momentum by harnessing its core virtues of sisterhood, scholarship, service, and social action.
Through sisterhood. If we had a network of support and mentorship for economics that mirrored those we have in politics and law, we could help some of our brightest minds find a home in economics.
