Consumer watchdog agency called ‘vicious’ by Trump seen as a ‘hero’ to many it aided

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “This is the core of consumer protection – someone willing to help with stuff that’s small enough that no one would sue over,” says Booth, a 34-year-old professor from Boulder, Colorado, who filed a complaint with CFPB in October when his credit card company wouldn't remove an errant late fee. Baytch now calls the agency an “unalloyed good.” “The only people it’s bad for is big businesses that want to mistreat consumers,” Baytch says, calling Trump’s targeting of the agency “dishonest.” “Any voter who understands what it does sees it’s a positive thing.” CFPB, a response to the 2008 financial crisis and the ensuing Great Recession, was set up to protect Americans from credit card companies, mortgage providers and debt collectors, among others. “I would like to see more of these complaints resolved, but no agency is flawless,” says Ruth Susswein, director of consumer protection at the nonprofit Consumer Action and a wholehearted supporter of CFPB. Musk conceded the agency staff did “above zero good things, but still need to go.” CFPB had about 1,700 employees late last year.