ISTANBUL

A US federal judge temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's attempt to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook on Tuesday, ruling that the removal likely violated federal law and constitutional protections.

US District Judge Jia M. Cobb granted a preliminary injunction preventing Trump from removing Cook based on mortgage fraud allegations, finding the firing lacked sufficient legal cause under the Federal Reserve Act.

Judge Cobb determined that Cook "made a strong showing that her purported removal was done in violation of the Federal Reserve Act's 'for cause' provision." The court ruled that federal law limits removal grounds to "a Governor's behavior in office and whether they have been faithfully and effectively executing their statutory duties."

The judge emphasized that "for cause" removal "does not contemplate removing an individual purely for conduct that occurred before they began in office."

The court also found that the removal "likely violated Cook's procedural rights under the Fifth Amendment's Due Process Clause" and that Cook demonstrated "irreparable harm from her removal."

Cook will remain on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors while the legal case proceeds.