Trump gets his way on panel head

HE’S THE boss — at least for now.

A judge allowed President Trump on Tuesday to install Mick Mulvaney, the White House budget director, as interim director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, ending a power struggle over the post.

Leandra English, the No. 2 at the agency, had sued to keep the job.

The ruling from the bench by District Court Judge Timothy Kelly ended a bizarre two days at the financial watchdog in which both Mulvaney (photo) and English — an Obama-era appointee — said they were in charge.

Kelly’s refusal to issue a temporary restraining order preventing Trump from installing Mulvaney did not resolve the legal battle. Kelly only ruled that he would not block Mulvaney on an emergency basis.

Kelly was nominated this year by Trump and took his seat on the court in September.

Last week, the bureau’s permanent director, Richard Cordray, resigned and appointed English as his successor, setting up the showdown with the White House.

The agency, which was created in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis to protect consumers from big Wall Street institutions, has long been criticized by Republicans, who say it inhibits economic growth by targeting corporations.

White House spokesman Raj Shah said the decision “provides further support for the President’s rightful authority” to tap Mulvaney. He added that it is “time for the Democrats to stop enabling this brazen political stunt by a rogue employee.”