According to sources familiar with the situation, the Department of Government Efficiency of Elon Musk is adding a third member of staff at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Since March, DOGE has examined agency contracts and organizational charts to identify possible restructuring and cuts. The Trump administration has largely used voluntary buyouts to shed 16% of the SEC’s staff.
The SEC or the White House didn’t answer any specific questions. The SEC reiterated previous statements that it was cooperating with DOGE to save costs, while the White House stated newly-installed chairman Paul Atkins is committed to maintaining fair, orderly, and efficient markets while protecting everyday investors.
Jonathan Mendelson has joined the DOGE staff at the SEC, which is led by Elie Mishory. He is a former lawyer and top executive at Kalshi, a prediction markets company. According to records, Mishory is under the direction of Chair Atkins.
Mishory and Mendelson didn’t immediately respond to comments.
Atkins said he would collaborate with DOGE in order to achieve efficiencies during his confirmation testimony. Since Donald Trump’s return to power, White House officials have reduced the federal workforce to cut down on what they call wasteful spending.
Some observers are concerned that the staff exodus has weakened divisions responsible for overseeing oversight functions. This could hinder the SEC in its efforts to detect fraud and promote financial stability.
