Prof. Kristin Hickman Quoted in New York Times About Regulatory Agencies Under Fire

Professor Kristin Hickman, associate dean for research & intellectual life, was quoted in the New York Times about Donald Trump’s threats to shrink the federal work force through buyouts and mass firings that complicate the ability of regulators to do their jobs. Consumer advocates say that regulatory agencies that are intended to protect ordinary Americans, workers, and homeowners are being gutted with these actions. But Prof. Hickman said that no matter the threats, only Congress can do away with a congressionally created agency like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. However, she also noted that presidents have latitude in how much authority they can give to an agency. She said there was “a lot of wiggle room” when it came to the ability to “expand or shrink what an agency is doing.”