“Democrats Take Legal Action Against Powerful Figure in Battle”
Democratic leaders in the House are actively engaging in a legal dispute against the Trump administration by submitting an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit aimed at halting the dismantling of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The brief, shared exclusively with NBC News, sees top Democrats contending that President Donald Trump’s efforts to close the CFPB would cause significant harm to consumers, violate the law, and undermine the constitutional separation of powers.
In the document filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, lawmakers express concerns over the consequences of the administration’s decision to cease the CFPB’s activities, highlighting the agency’s successful track record of returning over $21 billion to defrauded consumers. Leading this effort are Rep. Maxine Waters of California, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Assistant House Democratic Leader Joe Neguse of Colorado, and Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland. Over 175 House Democrats have joined in supporting the brief.
Amidst the upheaval caused by Elon Musk’s actions within the federal workforce, the acting CFPB Director, Russell Vought, issued directives suspending a significant portion of the agency’s work. This move prompted the National Treasury Employees Union to file a lawsuit against Vought, challenging the legality of his actions. A hearing on the plaintiffs’ request for a halt in the suspension of CFPB activities is scheduled for Monday.
The amicus brief is a key initiative of the House Democrats’ newly established Litigation and Rapid Response Task Force, created by Jeffries to counter the Trump administration’s efforts to reshape the federal government. The task force, comprising various subgroups dedicated to legislative exploration, litigation, oversight, and investigations, aims to support multiple legal challenges against the administration.
Democrats argue that dismantling the CFPB, an agency established in 2010 after the financial crisis to oversee consumer financial protection, would leave consumers and businesses vulnerable. The task force plans to leverage legal strategies and collaborate with relevant committee leaders to address unlawful and unconstitutional actions taken by the administration.
“The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) presents a significant and compelling case by addressing the rampant financial scams and deceitful practices that exploit the American people,” stated Raskin in an interview with NBC News. He emphasized that the agency’s efforts are crucial in safeguarding citizens from unscrupulous activities and maintaining the integrity of our legislative authority as outlined in Article One. Furthermore, he highlighted the vital role played by this highly effective and popular federal agency in upholding consumer rights and ensuring financial regulations are not overlooked or undermined.”
