- Allegations of Politically Motivated Hiring
- Specific Cases and Evidence
- Committee Demands and Document Requests
Three US Congress committees have called for an investigation into possible politically motivated hiring by SEC Chair Gary Gensler. Particular attention is given to the appointment of Dr. Haoxiang Zhu as the Director of the SEC's Division of Trading and Markets.
Allegations of Politically Motivated Hiring
US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler is being accused of hiring new employees based on political affiliation. This stance, if true, contradicts the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, according to three US Congress committees.
Specific Cases and Evidence
Particular attention is given to the appointment of Dr. Haoxiang Zhu as the Director of the SEC's Division of Trading and Markets in November 2021. In the letter to Gary Gensler, it is asserted that Dr. Zhu convinced Gensler of his political compatibility through an email dated May 18, 2021. Six months later, Zhu was appointed director. "I believe I am on the right political spectrum and am happy to provide as many details as necessary for you to feel comfortable," wrote Zhu in the email to Gensler.
Committee Demands and Document Requests
The Congress committees demand that the SEC, under Gary Gensler's leadership, provide documents and communications related to hiring, firing, or transferring staff, starting from April 2021. They also request information about how political affiliation was considered during hiring, including the case of Dr. Zhu.
The investigation into the alleged politically motivated hiring practices at the SEC continues. Congress committees aim to determine the extent to which political ideology may have influenced these decisions.
