Economic news

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the economy added 22,000 jobs in August, raising the unemployment rate to 4.3% and providing additional cover for the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates in September.

Stephen Miran will take unpaid leave from and might seek to return to President Trump's Council of Economic Advisers, he said, raising conflict of interest questions in his nomination hearing for a seat on the Federal Reserve Board.

The Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook and allegations of mortgage fraud, allegations that spurred President Trump to terminate her position on the Fed Board last week. Cook is challenging the president's authority to remove her in court.

Stephen Miran, currently serving as chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, has been tapped to fill an open seat on the Federal Reserve Board at a time when President Trump is working to secure his hold on the central bank.

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis President Alberto G. Musalem said central bank autonomy leads to lower inflation and stable employment numbers. His comments come amid the Trump administration's attempt to remove a Fed board member for cause.

The department is aiming to boost transparency and win Trump's trust after poor economic numbers last month led to a bureaucrat's firing.

The D.C. District Court held a hearing this morning and defendants filed briefs in a case to determine whether Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook will remain on the Federal Reserve Board after her ostensible firing by President Trump earlier this week. No ruling was issued, but one is expected before the FOMC votes in mid-September.

Federal Reserve Gov. Christopher Waller criticized his fellow Federal Open Market Committee members for not cutting interest rates in July, but said he is "hopeful" that easing monetary policy soon can keep the labor market from "deteriorating."

Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook's lawsuit against President Trump is challenging his move to remove her from office because allegations against her do not constitute "cause." How courts weigh in could dictate the future of the central bank's independence from the White House.

Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook filed a lawsuit in federal court Thursday morning seeking an injunction against President Trump's "illegal attempt" to remove her from the Fed board. The suit claims Trump has not demonstrated "cause" for her removal under the Fed statute.