The Trump administration faces accusations of retaliation against a labor union leader at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Stephen Wheeler, a data scientist employed at the agency since 2022 and chair of the CFPB union organizing committee, was placed on administrative leave effective immediately earlier this month. The union representing workers at the agency stated it received no specific violations or investigation details regarding the suspension.
Wheeler has been a vocal union presence, including attending union pickets and sitting behind Russell Vought—the official overseeing the agency—during his congressional testimony in July. Wheeler recently spoke with NPR about forced staff relocation at the agency. The union characterized the suspension as retaliation for union activity and protected speech. “An investigation with no stated scope or scale is no investigation – it’s a fishing expedition,” Wheeler said, claiming the action constitutes “bullying and intimidation.”
This case follows a similar situation involving Alexis Goldstein, another union member who was placed on administrative leave in February 2025 and subsequently fired in February 2026. Goldstein stated she was terminated after questioning credentials of personnel from the so-called “department of government efficiency” accessing agency data. The union filed a grievance over her firing and awaits arbitration, which the union says has been delayed by the CFPB.
The Trump administration has pursued efforts to dismantle the agency since the start of the second term, with the Office of Management and Budget director calling for its abolition and halting most operations in February 2025. The agency deleted approximately 4,000 webpages earlier this year. Union members issued statements characterizing the investigation as an intimidation tactic, with multiple workers pledging continued resistance to what they described as retaliation efforts. The CFPB did not respond to requests for comment.
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