Trump names ally Brian Johnson to be CFPB’s newest permanent director

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President Donald Trump has appointed Brian Johnson as his pick for the next director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Johnson, a former aide and financial services executive who previously worked at the CFPB during Trump’s first term, will now lead the bureau for the remainder of Trump’s second term.

Johnson served as the deputy director of the bureau under Kathy Kraninger, Trump’s first CFPB director. Known for his influential role as Kraninger’s aide, Johnson had a significant impact on the bureau’s agenda. After leaving the CFPB in 2020, Johnson worked at Patomak Global Partners and later held a senior executive position at Capital One.

If confirmed by the Senate, Johnson will take over a bureau that has seen limited activity since Trump’s return to office, with Russell Vought, Trump’s budget director, serving as the acting director. Much of the recent focus at the CFPB has been on undoing previous initiatives.

Johnson was the deputy director of the bureau under Trump’s first CFPB director, Kathy Kraninger.

The CFPB was established by Congress in response to the 2008 financial crisis, with a mandate to regulate consumer financial products and services independently. Republicans have criticized the bureau for its centralized power and lack of accountability to Congress, leading to multiple attempts to weaken its authority.

Johnson has been a vocal opponent of the bureau’s work, especially under Rohit Chopra, Biden’s pick to lead the CFPB. While Johnson has called for reforms to the bureau, Vought has expressed a desire to shut it down. Vought’s term as acting director will end in August.

Exterior view of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) headquarters building with 'CFPB' signage. — A view of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) headquarters building in Washington, DC, on February 10, 2025. AFP via Getty Images

Johnson’s nomination will be reviewed by the Senate Banking Committee, where Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a strong supporter of the CFPB, holds a prominent position. Warren criticized Johnson during his time as deputy director and has expressed concerns about his nomination.

“Russ Vought can no longer serve as Donald Trump’s hatchet man at the CFPB. So here comes the next hatchet man to try to finish the job,” Warren stated.