More from the article ...

... The threat, which Reuters is reporting for the first time, was emailed on May 13 by Chief Examiner Fatima Batie to many of the agency's mid-level supervision staff as they were preparing to resume inspections of financial firms following a long hiatus, according to the email and two people familiar with the matter.

Critics say the message amounts to a threat to CFPB staff that would likely make them think twice about how they interact with companies they oversee.

It also underscores how Republican President Donald Trump's administration has reoriented the CFPB's supervisory work, and reflects a broader regulatory retreat from oversight of the finance sector that his appointees say had become overly burdensome, constraining lending and economic growth.

Representatives for the CFPB and the White House did not respond to requests for comment. Batie did not respond to emails and a message seeking comment. Efforts to reach her by phone were unsuccessful. ...

Some background ...

@#1 ... The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is an independent agency of the United States government ...

"Independent?"

Apparently not any more. Now subject to Pres Trump's whims and dicta.