Bloomberg News Now
Justices Seem Wary of Trump's Fed Case, Trump: NATO "Owes" U.S., More
21 Jan 2026
Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
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news when you want it with Bloomberg News Now. I'm Amy Morris. Supreme Court justices seem to suggest they're wary of President Trump's effort to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook over unproven allegations of mortgage fraud. Solicitor General John Sauer argues that Cook isn't fit to serve.
The American people should not have their interest rates determined by someone who was at best grossly negligent. and obtaining favorable interest rates for herself.
But those allegations are unproven, and the justices seem to acknowledge that firing Cook could upend the Fed's independence and rattle markets. Justice Brent Kavanaugh expressed skepticism of there being no judicial review of the actions of the president.
They're positioned that there's no judicial review, no process required, no remedy available. very low bar for cause that the president alone determines. And that would weaken, if not shatter, the independence of the Federal Reserve.
Fed Governor Cook released a statement saying that the case is about whether the Federal Reserve will set interest rates by evidence or whether it will succumb to political pressure, and that as long as she serves at the Federal Reserve, she will uphold the principle of political independence.
National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett says the Fed has already crossed the line of being independent when it criticized President Trump for global tariffs.
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Chapter 2: What are the Supreme Court justices' concerns regarding Trump's Fed case?
Greenland, the what, makes a lot of sense to me. Project power in Greenland. Why would any fiscal conservative want to spend billions of dollars to buy something that we already have access to?
Republican Senator Tom Tillis spoke to Bloomberg surveillance from the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Jamie Dimon is speaking out against President Trump's proposal to cap credit card interest rates.
It would be an economic disaster. And I'm not making up because our business, you know, we would survive it, by the way. In the worst case, you'd have to have a drastic reduction of the credit card business.
Diamond says his firm will give a real analysis of the proposal to the government and that banks have argued an interest rate cap would force lenders to drastically pull back on credit they provide to consumers. Wall Street holding steadier after the president said he would not be using force to take Greenland. We do check markets for you all day long here at Bloomberg.
Chapter 3: What allegations are made against Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook?
The S&P 500 is up 0.5%. NASDAQ up 0.3%. The Dow up 0.7%. The 10-year Treasury yield at 4.26%. The 2-year yield at 3.59%. And Netflix shares are more than 4% lower after the company issued a disappointing forecast for earnings in the months ahead. as it spends more on programming and it works to close its nearly $83 billion deal with Warner Brothers Discovery.
Pending home sales has plunged the most since the start of the pandemic. The National Association of Realtors says pending sales fell by 1.3% from the year before. That's a decline that was regionally broad and well below the lowest estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economists. It is not clear whether the December figure was a one-off or the start of a worsening trend.
A major winter storm will spread heavy snow and ice across a 2,000-mile stretch from the southwest to the east coast starting Friday. This storm is expected to cause dangerous travel conditions and it comes with life-threatening cold temperatures.
Chapter 4: How could firing Cook affect the Federal Reserve's independence?
The Washington Post says the storm's peak is expected on Sunday and a deep freeze affecting much of the country in the weeks ahead. Shares in natural gas stocks extended gains, jumping 22 percent. The latest weather outlook signals sustained heating demand. That's news when you want it with Bloomberg News Now. I'm Amy Morris. This is Bloomberg.
Today's show is brought to you by Vanguard. To all the financial advisors listening, let's talk bonds for a minute. Capturing value and fixed income is not easy. Bond markets are massive, murky, and let's be real, lots of firms throw a couple flashy funds your way and call it a day. But not Vanguard. At Vanguard, institutional quality isn't a tagline. It's a commitment to your clients.
We're talking top-grade products across the board of over 80 bond funds. actively managed by a 200-person global squad of sector specialists, analysts, and traders. These folks live and breathe fixed income. So if you're looking to give your clients consistent results year in and year out, go see the record for yourself at Vanguard.com slash audio. That's Vanguard.com slash audio.
All investing is subject to risk. Vanguard Marketing Corporation Distributor.
Donald Trump is rewriting the Washington rulebook and reshaping the global economy. If you're trying to connect the dots behind the headlines, Bloomberg's Trumponomics podcast is here to help. I'm Stephanie Flanders, head of government and economics at Bloomberg. Every week I'll bring you a smart, focused conversation with reporters and experts from Washington, Wall Street and beyond.
Listen to new episodes every Wednesday and follow Trumponomics wherever you listen.
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