Donald Trump has dismissed Rohit Chopra, the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), in a move that continues the Republican president’s reshaping of the US government. Chopra, who was appointed to lead the agency in 2021, had been expected to serve a five-year term. However, he announced on Saturday that his tenure had been abruptly cut short.
In a letter posted on social media platform X, Chopra expressed gratitude for the public’s support during his time in office, noting that Americans had shared their experiences to help hold powerful corporations and their executives accountable for legal violations. “Every day, Americans from across the country shared their ideas and experiences with us. You helped us hold powerful companies & their executives accountable for breaking the law, and you made our work better,” he wrote.
The Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) swiftly condemned the firing, calling it “a direct giveaway to Wall Street” and accusing Trump of yielding to corporate pressure. Chopra had notably clashed with major US banks over issues like excessive overdraft fees and had advocated for more stringent regulations on internet payment applications.
The CFPB was established in 2011, following the 2008 financial crisis, with the goal of safeguarding consumers from abusive financial practices.
This firing adds to a series of personnel changes Trump has implemented since re-entering the White House. While such actions are common during US transitions of power, the speed and scale of Trump’s reshaping of the federal government have drawn attention. The president has expressed a belief that government agencies must fully align with his political agenda.
Trump, alongside billionaire ally Elon Musk, has pledged to address what he perceives as excessive corporate regulation, promising significant cuts to public spending. Reports suggest the FBI may also be preparing for a major shakeup, particularly among agents who investigated Trump’s role in the January 6 Capitol riot.
