Trump Allies Concerned About DOGE’s Lack of Discipline
According to Bloomberg, Trump allies, including Russell Vought, the head of the Office of Management and Budget and acting director of the CFPB, are concerned that DOGE’s lack of discipline could undermine efforts to neuter the agency. This concern arises from the fear that the haphazard actions of Musk’s team could be challenged in court, allowing a muscular CFPB to continue its operations.
A spokesperson for Vought denied the existence of tensions, calling the story “false” and dismissing it as another attack against DOGE.
Vought, an advocate for eliminating the CFPB and a Project 2025 architect, immediately shut down the agency upon assuming power. He halted supervisory and regulatory work, as well as active litigation and internal communications among staff.
Reportedly, Musk’s team has terminated 200 of the agency’s 1,700 employees, with the remaining staff requiring clearance from a White House lawyer to continue working. Sources claim that DOGE officials, working out of the basement, seem to lack an understanding of the agency’s functions.
As the DOGE probe of CFPB functions continues, Mark Calabria, former head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), has joined in an interim capacity until the confirmation of Jonathan McKernan as permanent director. Calabria is expected to assist in bringing independent agencies under the control of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
In a previous interview with HousingWire, Calabria expressed his belief that the CFPB will not be eliminated but will see a change in enforcement and obligations. He highlighted the difference in approach between the Republican and Biden administrations in utilizing the CFPB.
Last week, a federal judge granted the Trump administration the authority to dismiss federal employees, including those at the CFPB and Department of Veterans Affairs, redirecting the case to the Federal Labor Relations Authority.