Under Trump, Wall Street regulator's headcount falls 18%, watchdog says - Reuters

The Securities and Exchange Commission has reduced its workforce by 18 percent under the Trump administration, according to a watchdog report. The SEC, which oversees Wall Street and enforces federal securities laws, typically maintains around 4,500 employees; the reduction reflects broader cost-cutting initiatives across federal agencies. Staffing cuts at the regulator could affect its capacity to investigate fraud, monitor market compliance, and enforce financial regulations. The decline comes as the Trump administration has prioritized reducing government headcount and regulatory burden on the financial sector. The SEC's reduced capacity may have implications for market oversight and investor protection.