The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is reportedly planning to lay off the majority of employees at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), according to sworn declarations by agency employees submitted to a federal court. These declarations were part of a legal case brought by the National Treasury Employees Union against Russell Vought, the acting director of the CFPB. The union aims to halt the dismantling of the agency, which has returned $17.5 billion to consumers over 12 years through enforcement actions and canceled debts. A recent report highlighted that around 20 technologists were abruptly fired, prompting a temporary court order preventing further layoffs. Employees described a rushed process orchestrated by DOGE, with little consideration for ongoing consumer protection issues or data management. The CFPB is responsible for ensuring financial service companies comply with laws, handling consumer complaints, and initiating enforcement actions. The court’s intervention has paused further terminations, but concerns remain about the agency’s future and the security of its data systems. — news from The Verge
