Former SEC official: Gary Gensler is trying to manipulate SEC enforcement after leaving office

John Reed Stark, former head of the U.S. SEC's Office of Internet Enforcement, has issued a stark warning about the potential conflicts within the agency after Trump's victory. Stark recently posted on X: "With the sudden promotion of a series of 'lame duck' officials, U.S. SEC Chairman Gary Gensler has begun a deep government crusade. Gensler's behavior is not only shameful, but also shocking. Stark accused Gensler of promoting five senior officials in the SEC's enforcement department to ensure his influence after leaving office, four of whom have extensive experience in crypto enforcement. He called these moves unprecedented and pointed out that such promotions usually last for ten years, not a month. Stark explained that these are career civil service positions, which means that the new government cannot easily cancel them. Stark said: "SEC Chairman Gary Gensler is obviously trying to manipulate the SEC Enforcement Department after leaving office. ” He added that the promotions were all made quietly, without public announcement or press release. Looking ahead, Stark predicts a conflict will brew between the incoming Trump administration and Gensler appointees: “The order from the White House and the crypto czar to new SEC Chairman Paul Atkins is undoubtedly to clean house, take names, and immediately order a permanent halt to all SEC cryptocurrency-related investigations, litigation, appeals, and rulemaking.”