Trump in new bid to fire Cook

But document casts doubt on fraud claim

- ERIK LARSON

President Donald Trump on Sunday made a final push to sway a US appeals court to let him oust Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook over allegations of mortgage fraud before this week's Fed vote on interest rates, again telling the court that she's failed to dispute the claims.

Trump last week asked the Washington-based appeals court to temporarily pause a lower court's Sept 9 injunction blocking him from firing Ms Cook while her lawsuit challenging her dismissal proceeds. A ruling from the three-judge appellate panel was expected later Sunday or yesterday.

If the appeals court denies the Justice Department's request for a so-called stay order, the president is likely to immediately ask the Supreme Court to intervene, setting up a series of last-ditch arguments with the justices by both sides before a highly anticipated Fed policy meeting today and tomorrow.

Trump moved to fire Ms Cook last month after Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte, one of the president's most outspoken supporters, accused her of committing mortgage fraud. He alleged that she declared two homes in Georgia and Michigan as her primary residence in order to get better loan terms. The real estate transactions predated her time on the Fed.