Confidentiality marked the closure of the consumer protection agency’s office in Washington.

WASHINGTON — Over the past weekend, staff members at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) noticed alarming signs indicating potential disruptions ahead.
In two basement conference rooms, windows were obscured with brown paper and blue painter’s tape, preventing anyone from seeing inside. Sounds of conversation could be heard regarding potential cuts to government agencies. A slight opening in the door revealed young individuals sporting temporary identification badges.
This situation underscores that the CFPB, an agency established to shield Americans from financial fraud, abuse, and deceitful practices, is now in the crosshairs of Elon Musk and his initiative known as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Consequently, the bureau’s Washington headquarters has been closed for the week, leading to concerns that it will be dismantled in a manner similar to the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Images of the conference rooms were shared, and accounts were provided by two current employees who wished to remain anonymous for fear of backlash. Such secrecy stands in contrast to the White House’s claims that Musk is transparently aiming to fulfill President Donald Trump’s vision of diminishing the federal government.
Trump has publicly backed the move against the CFPB, labeling the agency as “set up to destroy people.”
“We did the right thing,” he asserted during a press briefing in the Oval Office on Monday.
Protestors assembled outside the bureau to denounce both Trump and Musk, who is increasingly facing scrutiny as DOGE’s influence expands within the federal domain.
“Elon Musk, where are you?” asked Rep. Maxine Waters, a Democrat from California. “We’re not afraid of you.”
Internal discussions reveal that the White House is contemplating opportunities for Musk to speak publicly about his role for the first time since he became a special government employee.
As of now, Musk has primarily defended his actions on social media, expressing his confidence that the American populace will back DOGE’s initiatives. He has also addressed accusations regarding the supposedly unauthorized access to sensitive government data, stating, “I’m 1000% more trustworthy than an untold number of deep state bureaucrats and fraudsters.”
Russ Vought, who previously served as Trump’s budget director, is now acting as the CFPB’s interim head after the dismissal of Rohit Chopra by Trump.
On Monday morning, Vought sent a directive to employees instructing them to “not perform any work tasks.” He further suggested that they should seek written approval from the Office of Management and Budget’s chief legal advisor before proceeding with any activities.
His email mirrored one sent on Saturday evening, which commanded the bureau to “cease all supervision and examination activity.”
There are indications that disruptions are occurring on the bureau’s website, as the homepage currently displays a “404: Page not found” error, despite other sections remaining operational.
The National Treasury Employees Union, representing over 1,000 bureau employees, has filed a lawsuit alleging that Vought’s orders have unlawfully surpassed his authority.
“There is a significant likelihood that these preliminary directives are a precursor to a purge within the CFPB’s staff, prohibiting them from fulfilling the agency’s mandated mission,” the lawsuit states.
Established in response to the 2008 financial crisis and the subprime mortgage scandal, the CFPB has reportedly secured around $20 billion in financial relief for U.S. consumers through debt cancellation, compensation, and reduced loan costs since its inception.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat and a founder of the CFPB, remarked, “This is a battle between millions of hard-working individuals who do not wish to be cheated and a select few billionaires like Elon Musk, who seek to exploit them.”
In recent years, the agency has enacted rules limiting bank overdraft fees, removing medical debts from consumer credit histories, regulating “buy now, pay later” services, and mandating disclosures on short-term loans, specifically those labeled as earned wage access. The CFPB has taken legal action against financial institutions for misleading consumers and is particularly focused on combating predatory lending practices and excessive fees under President Joe Biden’s administration.
Some banks and financial groups have initiated lawsuits to contest certain regulations, claiming the CFPB has overstepped its authority. Conservative factions and financial supporters have consistently aimed their criticisms at the bureau, arguing that it lacks adequate oversight. However, the Supreme Court reaffirmed the agency’s funding and oversight framework in May.
On Friday evening, Musk shared a post stating “CFPB RIP” on his social media platform X, alongside a tombstone emoji.
In response to a supporter of this initiative, he commented, “They did a few good things, but ultimately, they still need to go.”
While Congress would have to pass additional legislation to formally disband the CFPB, agency leadership has the authority to determine which enforcement actions to adopt.
Democrats and progressives have voiced their outrage over the decision by the Trump administration to target the CFPB.
“Elon Musk and Russ Vought aren’t just pushing legal boundaries — they’re breaking them, daring anyone to intervene,” stated Leah Greenberg, co-executive director of the activists’ organization Indivisible. “This is an illegal, unconstitutional attack on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, representing a blatant power grab by billionaires aiming to rig the system further in their favor.”