36 Hours After Russell Vought Took Over Consumer Bureau, He Shut Its Operations

Published On Feb 9, 2025, 6:18 PM

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is facing significant turmoil after Russell Vought, recently appointed by President Trump, took over its management. Vought has ordered the agency to halt most operations, proposed funding cuts, and implied that the CFPB may be abolished altogether. Created in 2011 in response to the financial crisis, the CFPB has played a crucial role in protecting consumers by recovering funds and reforming financial services. The abrupt changes under Vought could disrupt consumer protections and impact the financial sector.

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If Vought's plans to cut funding and operations at the CFPB proceed, we may see increased regulatory uncertainty in financial markets, which could negatively impact financial institutions that rely on clarity regarding consumer protections. This could lead to declines in their stock prices.

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The order to shutter the agency’s headquarters follows another order issued Saturday by Mr. Vought, who also leads the Office of Management and Budget, telling agency employees to halt nearly all their work.

CFPB employees were told Sunday to work remotely because their Washington, D.C., headquarters would be closed through Feb. 14, according to a memo obtained by CNBC.

In an email to staff of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the agency’s acting director ordered workers to cease “all supervision and examination activity.”