A federal judge ruled on Friday to stop the Trump administration from shutting down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). This decision is one of the strongest actions against the administration’s attempts to cut down the federal government.
Judge Amy Berman Jackson issued a preliminary injunction, which means the CFPB will remain intact until the case is fully resolved. She explained that her ruling would keep the agency’s contracts, staff, data, and operations in place, and ensure employees can continue doing their jobs as required by law.
The judge’s decision also sets up a case that could go to higher courts, where President Trump’s views on executive power will be tested against laws passed by Congress. Jackson noted that in the early days of Trump’s presidency, his team was aggressively trying to dismantle the CFPB. These efforts, she said, were made with little regard for Congress’s decision to create the agency after the 2008 financial crisis.
Jackson pointed out that while the administration’s actions slowed down after facing legal challenges, it didn’t stop their efforts. She described some of the changes made by political leaders in the agency as “window dressing,” or just for show, rather than genuine efforts to comply with the law.
The judge concluded that her emergency action was necessary because the court was the only thing keeping the administration from continuing its plans to weaken the CFPB.
This is a developing story, and more updates will follow.
