Decoder with Nilay Patel

Why DOGE is killing the agency that stops banks from ripping you off

10 Apr 2025

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Rohit Chopra was the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau head until the end of January, when President Donald Trump fired him and Elon Musk’s DOGE began trying to dismantle the agency. The CFPB has been pretty popular since it was founded in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis to protect consumers, so shutting it down has kicked off a bunch of controversies — not least of which was whether Trump and Musk even had the power to do it. This all led me to ask several times who made the decision to fire him, who is currently responsible for the various policies of our government, and whether any of those things add up to a clear plan. Some of the most powerful executives in the world answer questions like this on Decoder all the time. But Rohit just didn’t know — and that should probably be as worrying as anything. Links: Trump fires CFPB director Rohit Chopra | Associated Press Trump orders CFPB to stop work, closes building | Associated Press CFPB workers reinstated after court order but still can’t work | The Verge Trump admin to appeal order blocking CFPB shutdown | Bloomberg Law A shady tech bootcamp may be sneaking back online | The Verge CFPB won’t enforce long-awaited payday lending rule | Bloomberg Law CFPB seeks to vacate redlining settlement, refund lender | Banking Dive CFPB signals it will drop rule regulating BNPL like credit cards | PYMTS CFPB drops fraud lawsuit against banks, Zelle | CNBC Credits: Decoder is a production of The Verge and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network. Our producers are Kate Cox and Nick Statt. Our editor is Ursa Wright. The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Decoder with Nilay Patel

Why DOGE is killing the agency that stops banks from ripping you off

This episode hasn't been transcribed yet

Other episodes from Decoder with Nilay Patel

Hank Green lets loose on YouTube, billionaires, and algorithms

Netflix is eating Hollywood — because it has to

Experian's tech chief defends credit scores: 'We're not Palantir'

Razer CEO on AI in game dev, Grok, and anime waifus

"All chaos and panic": Nilay answers your burning Decoder questions

Square's product chief on the death of the penny and the future of money

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