The government agency formed in the wake of the Great Recession acts to regulate financial products, like credit cards & mortgages. But, conservatives have never liked the CFPB, and its new acting director — appointed by President Trump over the weekend — ordered the agency's employees to stop working. They and critics fear the move is a step toward dismantling the CFPB altogether.

This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, political correspondent Susan Davis, and personal finance correspondent Laurel Wamsley.

The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.

One week after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, we look at the economic impact in the city and the ripple effects on industries that relied on the port.

Workers at the Port of Baltimore are losing their jobs because of the bridge collapse. With no ships coming in and out, it is unclear when workers will be able be returning to their jobs.

The rules that dictate what can be built and where were often meant to be exclusionary, experts say. With homes too few and rents too high, many cities are loosening rules to encourage more housing.

Washington, D.C.'s mayor has urged the Biden administration to require federal employees to return to the office most days. She's ordered her own city's workers back to the office four days a week.

Massive crowds descended on downtown Washington, D.C., on Saturday. Protesters' messaging at the event centered on calls to end U.S. aid to Israel and for a cease-fire.

Protesters gathered at a pro-Palestinian demonstration in the nation's capital on Saturday.

As the fighting intensifies between Israel and Hamas militants, at least 24 Americans have died in the conflict. Others are missing. We speak to some of the family members and friends.

The week's turmoil on Capitol Hill was one for the history books — and that has made for some very timely discussions in high school civics classes.

This week's ouster of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and the resulting turmoil on Capitol Hill has made for some very timely discussions in high school civics classes.

The two tickets match the marks of what's thought to be the only other used ticket from the night John Wilkes Booth shot Lincoln on April 14, 1865.

Taking it all in one last time while wearing the U.S. Soccer crest, Rapinoe reflected on how she and her generation had changed the game during her 17 years on the team.

The beermaker says it will end the practice known as tail docking after it came under pressure by animal rights group PETA.

Denmark's Kunsten Museum loaned artist Jens Haaning about $76,400 to create two pieces of modern art. Instead, he submitted two blank canvases and titled the work Take the Money and Run.

Former Spanish soccer federation president Luis Rubiales appeared in court Friday and denied any wrongdoing. Here's what's happened and what to look for next.

The former clerk in Rowan County, Ky., was sued by two same-sex couples to whom she refused to grant marriage licenses, claiming it violated her religious beliefs. Her attorney says she will appeal.

In bodycam footage, the officer is heard making callous remarks about a woman who died after being hit by a police cruiser. He reportedly told investigators he was mocking what city lawyers might say.

The five former police officers face charges of excessive force, deliberate indifference and witness tampering for the January death of the 29-year-old Nichols.

Danelo Cavalcante "is considered armed and extremely dangerous," police say. "He is now armed with a .22-caliber rifle with a scope and flashlight mounted on it," stolen from a resident's garage.

The embattled president of Spain's soccer federation has left his job. A furor arose after he kissed a star player on the mouth after the Women's World Cup final.