‘Hurting people to help themselves’: Dem senator disses DOGE’s CFPB cuts
Senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, recently met with former employees of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) who were fired as a result of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) federal workforce reductions. The CFPB, which has provided over $21 billion in consumer relief according to the agency’s latest data from December 3, 2024, has been a crucial advocate for protecting consumers from unfair or abusive financial practices.
During his meeting with the former CFPB employees, Senator Kaine accused Elon Musk of targeting the agency with DOGE cuts for his own personal gain. Kaine expressed his concerns about the impact of these workforce reductions on everyday Americans, particularly in Virginia, where tens of thousands of residents have benefited from the CFPB’s work.
Virginia, which has the second-highest number of federal civilian employees in the United States, has been deeply affected by Musk’s efforts to dismantle government agencies through executive actions. Kaine criticized Musk and DOGE for prioritizing their own interests over the well-being of consumers, alleging that they are “hurting people to help themselves” by promoting policies that benefit the wealthy elite.
Former CFPB term worker Joe Valenti, who was among those fired as a result of the workforce reductions, emphasized the importance of enforcing consumer finance laws to protect working people from financial harms. Valenti highlighted the impact of halting CFPB operations on low-income constituents, service members, veterans, and seniors, stressing the need for regulatory oversight to prevent market abuses.
The ongoing federal workforce firings at the CFPB have raised concerns about the agency’s ability to fulfill its mission of protecting consumers. Elon Musk’s public statements about the CFPB, including a post on X that read “CFPB RIP” with a gravestone emoji, have further fueled speculation about his intentions to dismantle the agency.
President Donald Trump has publicly supported the cuts at the CFPB, claiming that his administration has “virtually shut down” the agency and removed “radical-left bureaucrats” from their positions. Trump has vowed to completely eliminate the CFPB, calling it a “waste” that has been used to harm good people.
The National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) has filed a complaint accusing Russell Vought, the acting director of the CFPB and director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), of planning to conduct another mass firing of over 95% of the agency’s employees. Vought’s actions have sparked outrage among CFPB employees and their supporters, leading to protests outside the agency’s headquarters in Washington.
Despite the challenges facing the CFPB, Senator Kaine remains committed to advocating for consumer protection and holding those responsible for the agency’s dismantling accountable. As the fight to safeguard the rights of consumers continues, the future of the CFPB remains uncertain in the face of ongoing workforce reductions and political turmoil.
