Brian Johnson has been promoted to acting deputy director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
Acting Director Mick Mulvaney made the announcement on Monday. Johnson previously served as principal policy director.
Johnson’s promotion follows the resignation of Leandra English, who served as deputy director.
English was former Director Richard Cordray’s pick to succeed him as director, but shortly after Cordray announced his resignation last November, the Trump administration quickly installed Mulvaney, who also serves as the director of the Office of Management and Budget, as acting director.
This led English to bring a lawsuit against Mulvaney and Trump, arguing that she should have been installed as acting director. She lost the first two rounds of her suit and appealed.
Last Friday, English announced she was abandoning her lawsuit and leaving the CFPB.
Johnson previously served as senior counsel to Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee.
In a statement, Mulvaney says Johnson “was the first person he hired at the bureau and has been an indispensable advisor.”
“Brian knows the Bureau like the back of his hand,” Mulvaney says. “He approaches his role as a public servant with humility and unsurpassed dedication. His steady character, work ethic, and commitment to free markets and consumer choice make him exactly what our country needs at this agency.”
