WASHINGTON (AP) — The battle between two supposed directors of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is making for compelling optics but only seems to be delaying a tidal shift at the powerful consumer watchdog.

Mick Mulvaney, President Trump's budget director and now his choice as acting director of CFPB, made a conspicuous effort Monday to show he was firmly in control of the bureau. Meeting with reporters, he promised a new approach at the agency, which he called example of "bureaucracy gone wrong." Earlier, he arrived at work with doughnuts for the staff.

Leandra English, who was elevat...