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President-Elect Donald Trump announced a host of nominations on Wednesday afternoon, with less than 50 days until his inauguration.
Investors and corporations have likely been anxious to learn Trump’s pick for chairman of the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC). The wait ended after his detailed Truth Social announcement.
“I am delighted to announce the nomination of Paul Atkins to be the next Chairman of the Securities & Exchange Commission,” Trump wrote.
He then outlined his reason for choosing Atkins for the position. “Paul is a proven leader for common sense regulations. He believes in the promise of robust, innovative capital markets that are responsive to the needs of Investors, & that provide capital to make our Economy the best in the World. He also recognizes that digital assets & other innovations are crucial to Making America Greater than Ever Before.”
Trump listed Atkins’s credentials and emphasized his past work. “Paul is the CEO & Founder of Patomak Global Partners, a risk management consultancy. As Co-Chairman of the Digital Chamber’s Token Alliance since 2017, he has worked on & studied the digital assets industry. A former SEC Commissioner from 2002-2008, Paul strongly advocated for transparency & protecting investors. He earned a J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law, & his A.B. from Wofford College, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa.”
His announcement of Counsel to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) also likely sparked conversations online. The new department headed up by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy has frightened some and excited millions.
Trump detailed his recruitment of William Joseph McGinley for the position in a subsequent Truth Social post.
“Bill will work with Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, and their team of incredible pioneers at DOGE, to rebuild a U.S. Government that truly serves the People. Bill will play a crucial role in liberating our Economy from burdensome Regulations, excess spending, and Government waste,” he wrote.
He added that McGinley “will partner with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget to provide advice and guidance to end the bloated Federal Bureaucracy.”
Trump concluded his post with a message to all Americans. “Bill is a great addition to a stellar team that is focused on making life better for all Americans. He will be at the forefront of my Administration’s efforts to make our Government more efficient and more accountable.”