iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
California Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed former Consumer Financial Protection Bureau director Rohit Chopra to lead the state’s newly created Business and Consumer Services Agency, as California positions itself against the rollback of federal consumer protections under President Donald Trump’s administration.
The new agency, set to officially begin operations on July 1, 2026, will combine several state departments and regulatory bodies under one umbrella to strengthen oversight of businesses, financial services, healthcare, licensing, and consumer protection across California.
Announcing the appointment on Tuesday, May 12, Newsom said, “As the Trump administration turns its back on consumers, we need strong and fearless leaders to keep protecting Californians. Rohit Chopra has shown exactly that kind of leadership — taking bold action, standing up for working families, and enforcing real consumer protections. I look forward to our ongoing partnership as we build on our work to protect families, hold bad actors accountable, and advance affordability across California.”
Chopra, who is of Indian-origin, will serve as Secretary of the Business and Consumer Services Agency, which was created through a government reorganization approved by Newsom last year. The agency will oversee departments including the Department of Consumer Affairs, Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, Department of Real Estate, Department of Cannabis Control, and the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, among others.
Responding to the appointment, Chopra said, “While federal agencies are making life more expensive and enriching special interests, California will be firing on all cylinders to make sure markets aren’t rigged against families and small businesses.”
He added, “By bringing together dozens of boards, bureaus, and departments under one roof, California’s new agency will work to protect the public in health care, technology, financial services, and more. I’m grateful to Governor Newsom for the opportunity to serve as the new agency’s Secretary.”
California officials said the agency will support the state’s wider push to strengthen consumer protections as federal oversight weakens. The state has recently increased efforts to crack down on junk fees, regulate oil companies, lower prescription drug prices through CalRx, improve online privacy protections, and expand enforcement against scams and predatory business practices.
Chopra is one of the most prominent consumer protection officials in the country. He led the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from 2021 to 2025 under President Joe Biden, overseeing regulation of mortgages, credit cards, student loans, and other financial products. During his tenure, the agency recovered nearly $10 billion in refunds and penalties from companies accused of violating consumer protection laws.
Before leading the CFPB, Chopra served as a commissioner at the Federal Trade Commission from 2018 to 2021 after being nominated by Trump in his first presidential term and unanimously confirmed by the Senate. He also worked at the U.S. Department of Education and previously served as the Student Loan Ombudsman at the CFPB.
Chopra, a Democrat, has been a fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School since 2025. He holds an MBA from the Wharton School and a degree in government from Harvard University. He also received a Fulbright Fellowship to South Korea.
His new position requires confirmation by the California Senate and carries a compensation of $254,450.
Photo: x.com/GovPressOffice