Trump Nominates Levenbach As New CFPB Director

President Trump has nominated Stuart Levenbach, an associate director at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) who oversees natural resources and energy issues, to serve as the next director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). This move comes as the Trump administration continues efforts to restructure or potentially wind down the agency, with the nomination widely viewed as a strategic maneuver to extend the tenure of current acting director Russell Vought under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act.​

Background on Levenbach

Stuart Levenbach does not have a background in financial services or consumer protection. He previously served as chief of staff at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and has handled science, energy, and environmental matters at OMB. Levenbach’s experience is mainly in management and policy roles related to natural resources rather than finance.​

Political and Regulatory Context

The nomination is seen by many as “technical” or a placeholder intended to allow Vought, Trump’s budget director, to remain as acting CFPB director while the Senate considers Levenbach’s confirmation. Critics, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, have called the move a ploy to keep Vought in charge and accelerate the closure of the CFPB. Under the Vacancies Act, nominating Levenbach suspends the 210-day limit on Vought’s acting directorship pending Senate action.​

Agency Future and Reactions

There is widespread concern among consumer advocates and some legislators that the Trump administration is attempting to dismantle the CFPB, which was created to protect consumers following the 2008 financial crisis. The nomination process will require Senate confirmation, and Levenbach is likely to face questions regarding his experience and consumer protection stance.​

In summary, Trump’s nomination of Levenbach is both a signal of shifting priorities for the CFPB and a legal step to prolong current administrative control as questions linger over the agency’s future.​