Odaily Planet Daily reported that White House National Economic Council Director Hassett said on Wednesday that Lisa Cook should take a leave of absence during the litigation over the Federal Reserve Board's future. Hassett told reporters on Wednesday: "If I were in her situation, I would take a leave of absence now." He added that he thought it was "the decent thing to do." Hassett said he believed the president had the right to fire Cook: "The president absolutely has the right to fire Federal Reserve governors for legitimate reasons, and I think these allegations are serious." Trump sent a letter to Cook on Monday, saying that he had "immediately removed her from office" on the grounds that her White House allies accused her of improperly claiming that two properties were primary residences in two mortgage applications. Trump had previously publicly considered nominating Hassett as the next Federal Reserve Chairman.