This reorganization comes as the SEC responds to pressure from President Donald Trump to reduce federal staffing and operational costs. In addition to cutting positions, SEC leaders have been tasked with proposing significant budget cuts. These measures are intended to align the agency with the administration’s ongoing efforts to purge federal entities and control spending.
Amid the restructuring, a new department, DOGE, led by Elon Musk, is playing a role in enforcing these changes. Musk has reportedly demanded that federal employees list their recent accomplishments or risk termination. This development reflects a shift in focus, with the SEC scaling back its crypto enforcement efforts as part of its cost-cutting strategy.
Former SEC lawyer Marc Fagel reacted to these changes, stating, “It’s almost like the head of DOGE, previously charged with securities fraud and currently the defendant in an ongoing SEC enforcement action, isn’t entirely free of conflicts in dismantling the SEC’s effectiveness.” The removal of regional directors, who are pivotal in guiding investigations and enforcement actions from offices across the country—from San Francisco to Miami—marks a significant organizational shift. The upcoming reorganization plan, led by Acting Chairman Mark Uyeda, is expected to improve operational efficiency.