Legal AF by MeidasTouch: “Smoking Gun Surfaces Blowing Up Trump’s Plan Against Fed”

Date: September 13, 2025
Host: Michael Popok (for MeidasTouch Network)

Episode Overview

This episode tackles explosive developments at the intersection of law and politics, focusing on a supposed “smoking gun” that dismantles efforts by Donald Trump, Bill Pulte, and their allies to force Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook out of her position. Host Michael Popok provides an in-depth legal analysis of the ongoing legal and political maneuvers—a campaign largely based on bogus allegations of mortgage fraud—exposing hypocrisy among Trump associates and their families, and detailing why these efforts have so far failed in court.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background: The Campaign Against Lisa Cook

[00:28]

• Bill Pulte, described as a "Nepo baby" with political connections, accuses Lisa Cook (Fed Governor) of financial fraud relating to mortgage documents for multiple properties.
• The real motivation: Trump seeks to oust Cook to gain a Federal Reserve voting majority and manipulate monetary policy for political advantage.
• Host Popok sarcastically frames Trump’s search for a reason to remove Cook:

  "Donald Trump, like a toddler in a high chair, couldn't get rid of Jay Powell... so he looked around, he said, who's, who's black? I mean, this is my artist rendering. Okay, look into her mortgages." (Popok, [02:28])

2. The Heart of the Allegation: Mortgage “Fraud”

[01:40]

• Lisa Cook owns homes in Michigan, Atlanta, and Massachusetts.
• Accusation: She claimed more than one property as her primary residence (“checking the box” for favorable rates or tax benefits).
• Reuters exposes the truth:
  • Cook properly disclosed the Atlanta home as a second/vacation property.
  • She only took a tax exemption for a primary residence in Michigan, not Atlanta.
• Popok emphasizes:

  "Reuters just determined that... she listed the Atlanta home as her second home or her vacation home. And she never took the tax deduction on the Atlanta property..." ([02:59])

3. The Hypocrisy of the Pulte Family & Trump’s Cabinet

[04:15]

• Bill Pulte’s parents (Mark and Julia Pulte) have done exactly what Cook is accused of, but to a far greater and illegal extent—claiming primary residence status and tax breaks on two properties (Michigan and Boca Raton).
• Michigan authorities have already charged the Pultes back taxes for fraudulently claiming exemptions.
• "20% of Trump's cabinet... have two loans that both check the box to say that their [are] primary residences."
• Popok points out:

  "Don't throw stones in a glass house, especially when you have multiple houses, some in Michigan and some in Boca Raton." ([08:59])

4. Legal Defenses and Judicial Rulings

[07:30]

• Judge Leah Cobb ruled that Cook’s alleged misconduct was irrelevant:
  • The law requires “for cause” removal to be based on actions occurring during employment, not before.
  • Grounds for “for cause” removal: inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance on the job.
• Popok illustrates:

  "Inefficiency is they give you 20 reports to prepare and you only get to five. Neglect of duty is they give you 20 reports... and you don't do any. And finally, malfeasance is you do the 20 reports but you suck." ([09:48])

5. Procedural Due Process Failures

[10:52]

• Lisa Cook was denied the due process to submit exonerating evidence before Judge Cobb’s order.
• Host argues that, armed with new Reuters evidence, her lawyers must urgently submit filings to ensure her continued position (critical for upcoming Federal Open Markets Committee votes).

6. Political Implications of Fed Board Control

[11:56]

• Trump’s maneuvering is about control over monetary policy—he wants a majority on the Fed to influence interest rates.
• Cook’s vote could decide critical economic outcomes:

  "He wants four out of seven so that he has the majority, so he can fire all of the regional bank presidents... that's what we're watching. That's why this fight is so important." ([07:02])

7. The Bigger Picture: Vindication by Journalism

[13:03]

• Reuters’ reporting may have saved Cook’s position and exposed the campaign’s hypocrisy and lack of evidence.
• Popok credits investigative journalism:

  "Thank you to Reuters for doing a great job. They took down Mark Pulte, the parents of Bill Pulte... and now they've vindicated Lisa Cook with this new information." ([13:03])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s Motives:

  "Donald Trump, like a toddler in a high chair, couldn't get rid of Jay Powell on the Federal Reserve because he wouldn't go. There was no for cause reason to get rid of him." (Popok, [02:28])

• On Mortgage Fraud Allegations:

  "Reuters just determined that... she listed the Atlanta home as her second home or her vacation home. And she never took the tax deduction on the Atlanta property that she's renting out..." (Popok, [02:59])

• On Legal Standards for Removal:

  "If you're looking at a 4 cause termination of a governor on the Federal Reserve, it has to be... one of three things happening on the job, not before the job." (Popok, [08:25])

• On Hypocrisy:

  "Don't throw stones in a glass house, especially when you have multiple houses, some in Michigan and some in Boca Raton." (Popok, [08:59])

• On Due Process:

  "She didn't get due process. That's why the judge blocked her firing." (Popok, [11:41])

• On Media's Role:

  "Thank you to Reuters for doing a great job... and now they've vindicated Lisa Cook with this new information." (Popok, [13:03])

Timeline of Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | Description | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:28 | Pulte’s Accusations | Intro to the attack on Lisa Cook and summary of allegations | | 02:59 | Reuters Reporting | Exposing the truth about Cook’s mortgage paperwork | | 04:15 | Hypocrisy of Trump Allies | Pulte family’s actual misconduct and similar abuses in Trump’s cabinet | | 07:02 | Trump’s Ambition for the Fed | Why Trump wants Cook out—control of monetary policy | | 08:25 | Judge Cobb’s Ruling & Federal Reserve Act | Legal grounds for removal explained; recent court decision | | 09:48 | Grounds for “For Cause” Termination Explained | Popok analogizes standards using a relatable metaphor | | 11:41 | Due Process Lapses | Cook’s legal team’s path forward; importance of the new evidence | | 13:03 | Reuters’ Vindications & Political Aftermath | Impact of reporting, next legal steps, closing call to action for audience |

Conclusion

This episode delivers a meticulous breakdown of how coordinated political and legal attacks on Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook have been debunked by investigative journalism, exposing significant hypocrisy within Trump’s orbit. Through sharp legal analysis and pointed commentary, Michael Popok illustrates why Cook’s removal is both legally unsupportable and politically motivated, making this a must-listen for anyone tracking the intersection of law, politics, and economic policy.

Note:
This summary excludes ads and non-content banter, focusing solely on the substance and flow of the episode. For ongoing coverage and source documents, listeners are encouraged to follow Legal AF’s Substack and YouTube as highlighted by the host.