The billionaire aide to Donald Trump indicates he wants to see the end of an agency founded after the financial crash of 2007-8.

The Trump administration has informed staff at the US consumer protection agency that it is temporarily shuttering its headquarters and pausing all work, according to an email shared Monday with AFP.

Windows in two basement conference rooms were covered with brown paper and blue painter’s tape, concealing their occupants. Voices could be heard inside discussing cuts to government agencies. When the door was cracked open, there were young people with temporary badges.