The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has resisted a request from Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for access to internal agency data.
DOGE's Request for SEC Data Access
DOGE member Eliezer Mishory asked Acting Chairman Mark Uyeda for permission to access internal staff emails, personnel files, contracts, and payment systems. However, SEC leadership, including Uyeda, has pushed back against this request.
SEC and Musk's Relationship
In January, the SEC charged Musk for not properly disclosing his purchase of Twitter shares. Musk reacted on social media, stating, 'They spend their time on s—like this when there are so many actual crimes that go unpunished.'
Critique of SEC Downsizing
Concerns exist that the downsizing at the SEC may negatively impact the agency's ability to regulate the market and pursue wrongdoers. Some critics describe these steps as 'stealth deregulation,' fearing that it undermines the agency by removing valuable personnel and resources.
DOGE's access request and the surrounding controversy raise important questions about the future of regulatory practices and agency efficiency.
