The Trump administration has declared the funding of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) illegal, a move that threatens to dismantle the agency aimed at protecting consumers. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has indicated that the CFPB is now legally barred from accessing funds from the Federal Reserve, leading to fears of a funding lapse that could occur as early as next year. In a significant ruling, the DOJ stated that the CFPB must rely solely on Congress for its funding or face financial instability by 2026. The CFPB has openly warned that it is on the brink of running out of money, leading to a battle for its independence and continued operation amid escalating tensions with the Trump administration.