Leandra English's stubborn presence in the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is the definition of political "burrowing," according to Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI). English refused to back down after President Trump appointed Mick Mulvaney to replace outgoing acting director Richard Cordray. She requested that Trump's appointment be dismissed, for Cordray wanted her to have the title. What ensued was a comical battle royale inside the agency as employees wondered who they were supposed to report to.
Ultimately, the court ruled in Trump's favor. The job belonged to Mulvaney.
How on earth did English get to this position anyway, Johnson wondered in a letter to the Office of Personnel Management.
“Based on Ms. English’s participation in politically-motivated litigation to prevent the president of the United States from appointing an acting director of the CFPB, I am concerned that the conversion of Ms. English into a career position was abused for political purposes,” Mr. Johnson said in a letter demanding answers from the OPM.
As mentioned, English lost her court battle. Yet, you would think she is the unquestioned acting director based on House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's Twitter page. Behold Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) championing lawlessness.
Incredibly thankful for the determination of Leandra English, the rightful Acting Director of @CFPB. #DefendCFPB pic.twitter.com/giUKsOCL2p
— Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) November 29, 2017
Johnson is causing headaches for President Trump and Republican leaders' tax reform plan, signaling that he is a likely "no" vote, but the president will likely welcome his taking his side on the CFPB dispute.
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