Washington D.C. – A federal judge has put a stop to the Trump administration’s attempt to carry out mass layoffs at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), offering a temporary lifeline to hundreds of agency employees.
US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson made the ruling during a Friday court session, citing concerns that administration officials were not complying with her earlier order which protected the agency’s operations amid an ongoing legal battle.
“I will not allow mass firings or disconnection from computer systems while this case is unresolved,” said Judge Jackson.
Temporary Block on Layoffs and System Shutdowns
The judge issued a temporary block on any mass firings or restrictions to employees’ access to CFPB systems. This means that all staff will remain in place and have continued access to internal tools and resources — at least until the next hearing.
Judge Jackson has scheduled a follow-up hearing for April 28, where testimony from key officials will be reviewed to determine the legality of the proposed layoffs and restructuring.
Legal Battle to Preserve the CFPB
The case is part of a broader lawsuit aiming to preserve the existence and independence of the CFPB, a watchdog agency created in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. Critics argue that dismantling or weakening the bureau would harm consumer protections in the US financial system.
