Trump Escalates Pressure on the Fed With New Threat

What's Happening

Politics

Trump Escalates Pressure on the Fed With New Threat

What's going on: President Donald Trump ramped up his attack on the Federal Reserve on Wednesday, calling on one of its governors to resign. Lisa Cook — a Biden appointee — is the first Black woman to serve on the central bank’s seven-member board of governors. She’s come under fire after Bill Pulte, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, accused her on social media of committing mortgage fraud by falsifying “bank documents and property records.” Pulte said he referred the issue to the Justice Department. If Cook doesn’t resign, The Wall Street Journal reports Trump is looking for ways to legally fire her. In a statement, Cook said she has “no intention of being bullied to step down.”

What it means: Trump would need to prove Cook either broke the law or is responsible for gross misconduct in order to fire her. Still, the president’s threat underscores his ambition to reshape the Federal Reserve, which has resisted his repeated calls to lower interest rates. If Cook is forced out, it would leave two empty seats on the board after another member resigned earlier this month — setting the stage for Trump to secure a 4-3 majority. Pulte has leveraged similar complaints against other political opponents, including Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and New York AG Letitia James (D) — both now under investigation by the DOJ. Meanwhile, experts warn that interfering with the Fed’s independence could shake confidence in the economy.

Related: The Texas House Just Approved New Congressional Maps — Here’s What’s Next (Politico)

Education

Oklahoma Wants Teachers To Prove They're Not Too "Woke"

What's going on: Oklahoma has sparked backlash after announcing it will require teachers from New York and California to prove they left behind any "woke” left-wing views. Superintendent Ryan Walters said applicants from those states will be required to pass a test that exemplifies an “America-first” approach to education. Prager University (PragerU), an Oklahoma-based conservative nonprofit, will administer the 50-question test that will cover topics about the US government, religion, and gender. Teachers unions have criticized the move, calling it a political stunt that’ll worsen the state’s teacher shortage and harm students, who rank below the national average in nearly every subject. 

What it means: Since winning his seat in 2022, Walters has led Oklahoma on the GOP’s education crusade, causing controversy and commanding headlines along the way: He’s mandated teaching the Bible in schools, added 2020 election conspiracy theories into high school curriculum, and supported a religious charter school all the way to the Supreme Court (it was blocked). Walters is also under investigation for allegedly playing videos of naked women on his office TV, which he denies. The new test has renewed focus on PragerU's growing influence on school curriculum — the program has partnered with at least five states for teaching material that focuses on conservative values. Lawsuits against the teacher test are expected, but Walters said he’s ready for the challenge.

Related: Federal Judge Blocks Texas Law Requiring Ten Commandments in Public Schools (CBS News)

Crime

Convicted Killer in Idaho Murders Known for Sexist, Violent Behavior

What's going on: A new batch of investigation documents from the University of Idaho murder case is shedding light on the "creepy" and sexist behavior of Bryan Kohberger, who was convicted last month. Kohberger, who studied criminology at Washington State University (WSU), alarmed faculty and classmates. One WSU faculty member even told coworkers she believed if Kohberger were to teach, he could go on to stalk or sexually abuse his future students, urging that his PhD funding be revoked. His classmates kept a tally of his “discriminatory comments” — including remarks that were sexist, racist, and homophobic — and one student said his behavior made her afraid to walk home alone.

What it means: The documents highlight a pattern of concerning behavior, particularly towards women — and show that nothing substantive was done to address several issues. The school did require a mandatory training for grad students in response to reports of him belittling women, but some argue it couldn’t address or foresee what was coming. As for the case, although the new trove of documents gives more insight into Kohberger's life and attitudes, his motive for the disturbing murders is still unknown. A judge sentenced him last month to four life terms plus 10 years — a plea deal some victims’ families criticized for letting him avoid trial.

Related: A Surviving Roommate Shared What Kohberger Said During the Attack (NBC News)

Settle This

Raising kids has never been cheap, but which city has the most expensive median child care?

Game Time

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