SEC Chair Paul Atkins plans to restore staff after deep workforce cuts
SEC Chair Paul Atkins told Congress the agency will fill workforce gaps after deep staff cuts. He denied claims that cases were dropped for political reasons.
Paul Atkins, the chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, announced on February 12, 2026, that the agency is working to restore some staff positions following workforce cuts ordered by the White House last year. The restoration effort is intended to fill gaps in divisions that were left depleted and to address a reduction in enforcement capacity across the US 
US. This initiative follows a year of significant personnel changes that critics argue have impacted the agency’s ability to oversee financial markets.
US. This initiative follows a year of significant personnel changes that critics argue have impacted the agency’s ability to oversee financial markets.
