NYC Reps and CMs Call for CFPB Anti-Discrimination Official’s Dismissal

Washington, DC – Today, Representative Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05), together with the Members of the New York City Congressional Delegation and Members of the New York City Council's Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus, addressed the following letter to Acting Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Mick Mulvaney. The letter calls for the dismissal of Eric Blankenstein from the agency's anti-discrimination enforcement arm, given his past use of racial slurs and his demonstrated skepticism of racial discrimination.

Blankenstein's past blog posts, as well as emails uncovered by the Washington Post earlier this month, revealed a lack of understanding about racism and its effects on outcomes, his use of the n-word, and his skepticism about the prevalence of hate crimes. Blankenstein's 2004 blog post criticized the University of Virginia's proposal to strengthen penalties against acts of intolerance as "racial idiocy".

"Under Trump, the EPA has been led by a climate change denier, DOE by a charter school advocate, HHS by someone staunchly anti-ACA, and now CFPB has someone who doesn't believe the role racism has had in influencing outcomes in our country. The CFPB was founded to address the abusive lending practices that were disproportionately harming homeowners of color in New York, and Eric Blankenstein's demonstrated views on race and discrimination make him utterly unfit for the position of enforcing CFPB's mission," said Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05).

"Eric Blankenstein's racist behavior and his skepticism about the prevalence of hate-based crimes is simply unacceptable. His use of racial slurs and hostile views are completely inconsistent with the mission of CFPB's anti-discrimination enforcement arm that he has been appointed to direct. I join my colleagues in calling for his immediate dismissal from CFPB," said Congressman José E. Serrano (NY-15).​

"One of CFPB's central responsibilities is to address the long history of discrimination in the financial industries. Employing someone in a leadership position for that agency with a history of racist statements totally undermines the key mission and is unacceptable," said Rep. Jerrold Nadler (NY-10).

"The CFPB was created to protect consumers but how can we reasonably expect consumers to be protected from discrimination if the head of the anti-discrimination arm has a history of using racial slurs and doubting the existence of racial discrimination? Mr. Blankenstein must be dismissed immediately," said Rep. Carolyn Maloney (NY-12).

"One of the CFPB's principle missions is preventing discrimination in financial and housing markets. Mr. Blankenstein's remarks suggest that he's incapable of leading the division charged with that mission. He must immediately step down," said Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07).

"I'm proud to join my fellow New Yorkers in calling for Eric Blankenstein to be removed from his position at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. We cannot have someone who has used racist slurs and expressed skepticism about hate crimes to supervise programs that are designed to protect minorities from discriminatory practices. Mr. Blankenstein's record is damaging and he must be removed from his position," said Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06)

"There's an old proverb that says, ‘Tell me with whom you walk and I will tell you who you are.' We have witnessed hate-based rhetoric and discriminatory policies attacking minority communities from President Trump since day one, and the racist sentiments and words from his appointee, Eric Blankenstein, come as no surprise as they mirror the exact tone fueled by this administration that intends to erode the years of progress our nation has made in civil rights and equality for all. Eric Blankenstein has demonstrated bias and racism and he must step down from his role with the CFPB immediately due to an inability to help lead an organization intended to fight against racial discrimination at its core," said Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13).

"What's past is prologue. Various members of this morally bankrupt Administration have already been ousted for past racist commentary that compromised the integrity of their respective agencies, and Eric Blankenstein should be no exception, especially given the breadth of his influence on fair lending policy at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. To permit him to serve another day as the nation's chief watchdog against abusive lending practices that have historically afflicted communities of color is grossly negligent. I join my colleagues in Congress and the City Council in calling for Mr. Blankenstein's immediate termination," said NYC Council Member I. Daneek Miller, Co-Chair of the Black, Latinx & Asian Caucus.

"As the representative of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau responsible for enforcing laws against financial discrimination, Mr. Blankenstein's past inflammatory writings regarding minorities clearly indicates that he has a bias. We should strongly question if he can properly pursue acts of predatory lending and enforce fair lending practices to minorities and minority-owned businesses," said NYC Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, Co-Chair of the Black, Latinx & Asian Caucus.

"Eric Blankenstein's comments are deeply offensive and indicative of his inability to work in an objective capacity at the CFPB. With these reprehensible views he should not be in the position to enforce fair lending practices. I don't see how anyone facing credit discrimination could have any confidence that he will protect them," said NYC Council Member Adrienne Adams.

"Eric Blankenstein is not fit for his office and his own words expose that. Appointing a man who apparently doesn't understand what racial epithets are designed to do — oppress and dehumanize — to lead an agency dedicated to enforcing civil rights legislation and protecting minorities from discriminatory practices is nothing short of Orwellian," said NYC Council Member Francisco Moya.

"It doesn't matter how long ago and in what context Blankenstein's blogs were written because his lackadaisical use of the "N" word and labeling most hate crimes as fake news are expressions of a pro-racist and hateful mindset. Clearly, he can't be trusted to run the agency's anti-discrimination arm," said NYC Council Member Andy King.

PDF of Letter: