In a swift and controversial series of actions, the Trump administration has effectively shut down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), following the appointment of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as its acting director. Just hours after taking charge, Bessent ordered the suspension of nearly all operations and instructed staff to halt any ongoing oversight activities. This decision comes after Russell Vought, who earlier took the helm of the bureau, executed an immediate cessation of work with claims of illegal orders. The move has drawn significant criticism, especially from advocates like Senator Elizabeth Warren, who describe these changes as detrimental to consumer protections. Notably, tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has shown interest in this development, positioning his cryptocurrency Doge as a potential adversary to the agency, underscoring a broader push from influential figures to challenge its existence.