- Lawmakers have asked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to preserve all records relating to Trump-affiliated crypto firm World Liberty Financial
- They have raised concerns about possible political interference and conflicts of interest at the SEC
- Allegations include preferential treatment for investors tied to Trump and a sudden halt to a major enforcement case
Congressional leaders have demanded transparency from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding potential political interference involving World Liberty Financial, a crypto company with deep ties to U.S. President Donald Trump and his family. The request comes amid growing concerns that Trump’s personal financial stake could be influencing regulatory decisions, including the SEC’s unexpected pause of a high-profile enforcement action. The request comes days after House Financial Services Committee Chair French Hill admitted that Trump’s engagement in cryptocurrency ventures has introduced complexities into the legislative process aimed at regulating the digital asset sector.
Trump’s Crypto Empire Under Scrutiny
World Liberty Financial has come under intense scrutiny after Reuters investigation revealed that the Trump family had quietly taken over the crypto firm as it raised hundreds of millions of dollars in $WLFI token sales. As of early 2025, the company had sold more than $500 million in its $WLFI token, with President Trump and his sons holding substantial financial interests. The company’s website openly credits Trump as its inspiration, and SEC filings list him, Donald Trump Jr., and Eric Trump as affiliated individuals.
The letter, sent by Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Maxine Waters to Acting SEC Chair Mark Uyeda, outlines urgent concerns about regulatory integrity, calling the Trump family’s financial stake in World Liberty Financial “an unprecedented conflict of interest,” warning that such entanglements could compromise the SEC’s mission to “protect investors and maintain fair and orderly markets.”
Suspicious Timing in SEC Enforcement
One of the most alarming revelations centers around crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun, who was charged by the SEC in 2023 for fraudulent crypto practices including wash trading and promoting unregistered securities. Despite these charges, Sun later invested $75 million into Trump’s crypto venture—and by February 2025, the SEC had quietly paused its case against him. The letter argues that this episode “raises serious questions about whether SEC enforcement actions are being influenced by Trump-affiliated interests.” They specifically request all records related to the pause in Sun’s case, including communications with the White House or Trump family members.
The letter demands that the SEC preserve and release a wide range of documents, including internal memos, ethics reviews, communications with Trump affiliates, and policies meant to shield SEC decisions from political influence. The lawmakers emphasize the stakes:
The American people deserve to know whether their financial markets are being regulated impartially—or whether regulatory decisions are being made to benefit the President’s family financial interests.
As the SEC faces increasing pressure, the spotlight remains fixed on whether it can remain an independent watchdog in the shadow of presidential profit, especially under its Trump-appointed leadership.
