Trump taps Mulvaney to head CFPB, sparking confusion over agency's leadership

The announcement comes hours after outgoing Director Richard Cordray appointed Leandra English as deputy director, establishing her as his successor as he steps down.

By VICTORIA GUIDA 11/24/2017 04:45 PM EST

President Donald Trump on Friday named White House Budget Director Mick Mulvaney acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, setting up a legal clash over who is in charge of the controversial agency.

The announcement came just hours after outgoing CFPB Director Richard Cordray appointed the agency’s chief of staff, Leandra English, as deputy director, establishing her as his successor as he steps down today.

The two moves plunged the agency into confusion over the leadership of the bureau, which was established in the wake of the financial crisis and has become a lightning rod for attacks by Republicans and business executives for its aggressive enforcement.

“The President looks forward to seeing Director Mulvaney take a common sense approach to leading the CFPB’s dedicated staff, an approach that will empower consumers to make their own financial decisions and facilitate investment in our communities,” the White House said in a statement Friday night.

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https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/24/richard-cordray-successor-cfpb-leandra-english-259612