17 state attorneys general ask to defend CFPB; cite Trump

Attorneys general from 17 states are seeking to defend the U.S. consumer watchdog agency in court amid speculation that President Donald Trump may fire its director, Richard Cordray. The attorneys general, all Democrats, said in a court filing Monday they have “a vital interest in defending an independent and effective” Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and are seeking to intervene in a case over whether its structure is constitutional.