Internet reported that Hassett, director of the White House National Economic Council, said on Wednesday that Lisa Cook should take a leave of absence while the Federal Reserve Board of Governors litigation. "If I were in her situation, I would be on leave now," Hassett told reporters on Wednesday. He added that he thought it was "decent practice." Hassett said he believed the president had the right to fire Cook: "The president has absolute right to fire Fed governors for legitimate reasons, and I think these allegations are serious." Trump sent a letter to Cook on Monday saying he had "immediately removed" her from office after her White House allies accused her of improperly claiming both properties were primary residences in two mortgage applications. Trump had previously publicly considered nominating Hassett as the next Fed chairman.