Russell Vought Takes Over As New Acting Head Of CFPB

Newly confirmed Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget Russell Vought on Friday took over as the new head of the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Wall Street Journal reported.

Vought, who was confirmed to lead OMB by the Senate on Thursday, sent a letter to his new staff announcing the change, which comes as the watchdog faces heavy scrutiny from Republicans and Elon Musk.

The watchdog’s staff has been heavily critical of Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), after DOGE employees were given “read only” access to various CFPB systems, per the Journal.

President Donald Trump even fired the former head of the agency over the weekend, and placed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in his place until Vought took over. Trump has not indicated who the long-term leader will be, but CFPB directors are appointed to five year terms.

The appointment comes a day before some of the agency’s staff planned to hold a protest outside of the headquarters, according to the agency’s union.

The union also sent a scathing email about Vought’s appointment, the outlet reported, after Vought ordered DOGE officials to be granted access to all “non-classified” CFPB systems.

“[Some members are] deeply concerned that … such legally-protected, sensitive data of businesses and individuals will be exposed and used in inappropriate ways,” the union wrote.

Musk and his department have not commented on Vought’s appointment so far.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.