Judge denies CFPB funding relief to Baltimore

A federal judge on Friday handed the Trump administration a win by declining to temporarily block its bid to strip the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) of its reserve funds, after Baltimore sued over an apparent effort to defund the agency.

U.S. District Judge Matthew Maddox declined to grant Baltimore's request for a temporary injunction, finding the challengers failed to prove the administration took a "final agency action" to defund the consumer watchdog.

Such a finding is mandatory for relief in claims brought under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).

The decision notches a victory for Trump, whose efforts to cut spending across the government in alignment with his agenda have often faced roadblocks in the courts.

"For the Court to intervene and entangle itself in the Bureau’s administrative processes before the agency has made any final decision about the disposition of its operating and reserve funds — and without clear indication that an unlawful and injurious decision will be made imminently — would exceed the bounds of the Court’s proper role and jurisdiction," Maddox wrote in a 35-page ruling.

"It would be especially improper for the Court to risk exceeding its limited role on a preliminary basis," added the judge, an appointee of former President Biden.

Baltimore and Economic Action Maryland Fund sued the CFPB and its acting director, Russell Vought, last month, claiming that by seeking to return its reserve funds to the Federal Reserve or Treasury Department, they effectively sought to defund and defang the agency.

Mark Samburg, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, argued in the initial complaint that the administration sought to abolish the agency “by fiat” after legislation and legal challenges failed.

"Defendants have already announced their intention not to draw additional funds for the CFPB, claiming that the agency’s existing operating reserves are sufficient," he wrote. "Now Defendants are poised to transfer away those operating reserves, leaving the CFPB defunded and dead in the water."

A letter from Vought to the Federal Reserve, made public in court filings, showed the agency head requesting $0 for the fiscal year's third quarter.

"The Bureau’s current funds are more than sufficient—and are, in fact, excessive—to carry out its authorities in a manner that is consistent with the public interest," Vought said.

In a hearing Monday in a separate lawsuit over the CFPB's apparent dismantling, the agency's chief operating officer, Adam Martinez, testified that agency leaders probed the issue of returning funds and learned it is "virtually impossible to do that."

Topics

Judge denies Pulitzer board’s request to pause Trump lawsuit during presidency

A Florida judge Monday denied the Pulitzer Prize Board’s request to pause President Trump’s defamation lawsuit while he is in the White House, an argument Trump’s lawyers themselves have made in ...
The Hill - 3d
CFPB employees say mass firing plans remain in place

Two employees of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) testified Tuesday that top officials’ plans to fire hundreds of workers remain intact, as a federal judge weighs whether to ...
The Hill - 2d
US judge denies ex-Rosneft chief's claim to $300m seized superyacht

In a win for US justice department, judge rules ex-leader of Russian oil and gas company lacks plausible claim to yacht. A US judge on Monday ruled that a former chief of the Russian state oil and ...
The Guardian - 3d
Judge orders 6 federal agencies to rehire fired probationary workers

U.S. District Judge William Alsup extended relief to fired workers at the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Interior and Treasury.
CBS News - 22h
Judge appears likely to grant request to reinstate thousands of fired probationary workers

BALTIMORE — A federal judge in Maryland suggested Wednesday that he might direct that thousands of fired federal workers get their jobs back, at least temporarily, after hearing arguments that ...
NBC News - 1d
Judges rule against mass firings and Tricare bills couple over $100K: Morning Rundown

Judges reverse Trump's federal mass firings. Keith Kellogg absent from Ukraine-Russia talks. Over $100,000 in denied medical bills. Supercharging gut health.
NBC News - 6h
A Baltimore doctor's patients come to his aid

Dr. Michael Zollicoffer is a 66-year-old private family practitioner in Baltimore. His spirit is infectious, and his patients have been on the receiving end of his generous care for years. But ...
CBS News - 5d
Trump Administration Claws Back $20 Billion in Climate Project Funds

After the EPA announced the move, an advocacy group sued, saying the agency broke a contract that denied eight organizations money to address climate change.
Inc. - 1d
CFPB official details DOGE ‘chaos’ in overtaking agency

A top official at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) gave an inside account of the “chaos” and “confusion” that overtook the agency when the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) ...
The Hill - 3d
It's 'shoot first and ask questions later' as DOGE tries to dismantle CFPB: Official

At a court hearing Monday, CFPB’s COO Adam Martinez gave a sworn account of the chaos that has consumed the federal agency meant to stop unfair corporate practices.
ABC News - 3d
Mom worries about daughter with Down Syndrome after Education Department cuts

Hope Katz Zogby, a 7th grader in Baltimore, gets speech therapy and occupational therapy she receives onsite at her local charter school -- programs made possible through funding from the Education ...
CBS News - 1d
Live updates: Trump meets with NATO leader; judge blasts effort to fire federal workers

The Senate must pass a short-term funding bill before the government shutdown, while the White House has pulled its nominee for the CDC and President Trump has threatened Europe with more tariffs ...
The Hill - 22h
Pique denies Rubiales kickbacks in Spanish Super Cup move to Saudi

Gerard Pique on Friday denied paying kickbacks to Spain's disgraced former football federation chief Luis Rubiales in the Spanish Super Cup's transfer to Saudi Arabia, legal sources said.Pique told ...
Yahoo Sports - 4h
Here's why banks don't want the CFPB to disappear

For years, American financial companies have fought the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — the chief U.S. consumer finance watchdog — in the courts and media, portraying the agency as ...
NBC News - 4d
Here's why banks don’t want the CFPB to disappear

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and its employees are in limbo after acting Director Russell Vought took over last month.
CNBC - 3d
Confirm or Deny: Graydon Carter Edition

A king of the glossy-magazine era sits for a lightning-round interview.
The New York Times - 5m
Cheltenham festival: Inothewayurthinkin denies Galopin Des Champs in Gold Cup – live

Galopin Des Champs denied hat-trick in big race Day four tips | Email John with your thoughtsh 1.20 Triumph Hurdle odds . Odds via Oddschecker . East India Dock 6/4. Lulamba 5/2. Hello ...
The Guardian - 10m
NFL star Odell Beckham Jr denies allegations in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs lawsuit

Woman claims player was involved in assault Beckham says he was not in California at time NFL star Odell Beckham Jr has denied any wrongdoing after saying he was named in a lawsuit that alleges ...
The Guardian - 3d
Inothewayurthinkin wins Cheltenham Gold Cup to deny Galopin Des Champs a third straight victory

Galopin Des Champs was denied a third straight win in horse racing's Cheltenham Gold Cup when he was beaten by Inothewayurthinkin in the prestigious jumps race on Friday. Only four horses, ...
Yahoo Sports - 1h
UN judge guilty of forcing woman to work as slave

Jury finds Ugandan high court judge Lydia Mugambe guilty and she will be sentenced in May.
BBC News - 20h
Buying a Home? Without the CFPB, You Need to Be Your Own Watchdog.

The C.F.P.B. had kept a close eye on mortgage lenders. But with the bureau hobbled, consumers should take several steps, starting with shopping for the best mortgage rates.
The New York Times - Mar. 7
Agent's Take: How Ravens should handle Derrick Henry extension as star RB underpaid, showing no signs of aging

A look at what Baltimore can -- and should -- pay its ageless superstar back
CBS Sports - 4d
A big thank you to Reform for the comic relief in dark times

Very public squabble between Nigel Farage and Rupert Lowe has been a joy to witness – even if predictable. These past few weeks have been grim. The world hasn’t felt less safe in decades. European ...
The Guardian - 3d
Trump denies Musk clashed with cabinet members

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy pushed back against Elon Musk’s downsizing of the federal workforce in a recent closed-door cabinet meeting, according to two ...
NBC News - 6d
Sara Sharif's family denied sentence appeal bids

Sara Sharif was hooded, burned and beaten during two years of abuse before her death in Woking.
BBC News - 1d
Men denied life-extending prostate cancer drug

NHS England says it cannot afford to offer abiraterone, which is available in Scotland and Wales.
BBC News - 3h
Federal judges raise alarm about security threats and impeachment calls

Two senior federal judges on Tuesday raised the alarm about the increase in violent threats against members of the judiciary and expressed concerns about calls to impeach judges over the rulings ...
NBC News - 2d
Judge blocks Trump administration plan to cut millions for teacher training

Eight states had requested a temporary restraining order, which judge granted saying ‘programs ... will be gutted’ . A federal judge in Boston on Tuesday blocked the Trump administration’s plan to ...
The Guardian - 2d
Judge finds Trump unlawfully fired head of federal employee labor board

A federal judge ruled Wednesday that President Trump’s firing of the head of a board that resolves disputes between federal employees and the government was unlawful. U.S. District Judge Sparkle ...
The Hill - 1d
Judge orders Trump administration to reinstate most fired probationary staff

Ruling by California judge applies to thousands of employees dismissed from six federal agencies. A federal judge in California granted a preliminary injunction to reinstate thousands of fired ...
The Guardian - 23h
Second judge blocks mass firings of probationary federal workers

A second federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from firing federal workers, issuing an order Thursday that probationary employees be reinstated weeks after their dismissal. The ruling, ...
The Hill - 5h
Judge to decide if Menendez brothers' resentencing moves forward

The Los Angeles district attorney will withdraw his predecessor's recommendation to reduce the prison sentences of Lyle and Erik Menendez. The fate of the brothers now rests in the hands of the ...
NBC News - 3d
Super Cup probe: Judge questions Gerard Piqué

Former Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué was questioned by a judge on Friday as part of judicial probe into the business deal that led to the Spanish Super Cup being hosted in Saudi Arabia.
ESPN - 4h
With Carrie Underwood as a judge, can 'American Idol' thrive in the TikTok era?

The country star is experiencing a full-circle moment, joining Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie on the judging panel for the 23rd season of the show.
Los Angeles Times - Mar. 6
Judges and world leaders defy Trump as Congress sits on sidelines

Federal judges and foreign leaders are acting as the emergency brakes to Trump as he pushes to remake the world.
NBC News - 5d
Mistrial declared in murder trial of California judge accused of killing wife

LOS ANGELES — A mistrial was declared Monday in the case of an Orange County judge charged with murder in the 2023 shooting of his wife.
NBC News - 3d
Judge hears arguments on if Mahmoud Khalil should remain detained in Louisiana

A federal judge will weigh the challenge to the arrest and detention of Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil, who is a green card holder.
NBC News - 2d
Trump’s Losses Raise a Question: Should One Judge Set National Policy?

Trial-court judges continue to block the president’s agenda with injunctions that apply across the country. Some conservatives want to limit that power.
The New York Times - 1d
MPs scrap judge sign-off in assisted dying bill

Activists suggest replacing judges with a three-person panel featuring a senior legal figure.
BBC News - 1d