Federal Judge Halts CFPB Mass Firings Amid Legal Concerns

A federal judge has ordered an immediate halt to the Trump administration's planned mass firings at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which would have affected nearly 1,500 employees—roughly 90% of the agency's workforce. Judge Amy Berman Jackson expressed deep concern about the rushed nature and potential illegality of the dismissals, questioning whether senior officials were deliberately violating her previous orders to keep the bureau operational during ongoing litigation. Allegations surfaced regarding possible misconduct by officials overseeing the layoffs, including excessive demands on employees. The judge's injunction preserves employees' access to CFPB systems and mandates that government officials provide communications and testimony on the matter. A public hearing is scheduled to further examine the administration's compliance and intentions. The legal dispute highlights tensions between efforts to dismantle the agency and mandates to protect consumer financial oversight.