By Chris Megerian
Washington (AP) – During the weekend, some members of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau staff saw a sign of a future problem.
The windows of two conference rooms in the basement were covered with brown paper and the painter’s adhesive tape, hiding their occupants. Voices have been heard inside to discuss the cuts for government agencies. When the door was opened, there were young people with temporary badges.
It was new evidence that the agency, which was created to protect the Americans from financial fraud, abuses and misleading practices, was the most recent target of Elon Musk and his Ministry of Effectiveness of the Government Government . Now, Washington’s headquarters is closed for the week, and it is feared that it will be emptied as the American agency for international development.
Photos of the conference rooms were seen by the Associated Press, and the scene was described by two current employees who spoke under the cover of anonymity because they feared reprisals. The secret contradicts the insistence of the White House according to which Musk transparently achieves the objective of President Donald Trump to reduce the federal government.
Russ Vought, head of Trump budget, sent an email to employees on Monday morning saying that they should “do not perform work tasks”. They were responsible for contacting the best lawyer for the management and budget office “to obtain the approval in writing before performing a work task”.
Vought is also acting director of the office. The previous director, Rohit Chopra, was dismissed by Trump, a Republican on February 1.
Vought’s message followed on Saturday evening which ordered the office to “stop any supervision and examination activity”.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or CFPB, was created after the scandal of the financial crisis and risky mortgage loans in 2008. The officials said they had obtained nearly $ 20 billion in financial relief for American consumers since its Foundation in the form of canceled debts, remuneration and reduction of loans.
However, the office has been the target of the Conservatives for years, and certain companies have taken place during its surveys and its regulatory surveillance.
Friday evening, Musk published “CFPB RIP” on X, its social media platform. He added an emoji of a tombstone.
When another person expressed his approval of the plan, Musk wrote: “They have done no good thing, but still have to go.”
Since Congress has created the CFPB, it should adopt additional legislation to formally eliminate it. However, agency leadership may decide what measures to apply the law take, if necessary.
Democrats and progressives expressed their indignation at the Trump administration’s decision to target the CFPB.
“Elon Musk and Russ Vought do not only test the limits of the law – they were brissing them, daring to stop them,” said Leah Greenberg, co -executive director of the indivisible activist group. “This attack on the consumer financial protection office is illegal, unconstitutional and a blatant takeover by billionaires who wish to rig the system even further in their favor.”
Originally published:
California Daily Newspapers
