Key Highlights
- Donald Trump named Kristin Johnson, Steven Levine, Nathan Anonick and Matthew Rowland for potential posts at the SEC and CFTC.
- Johnson and Levine are being recommended for the Securities and Exchange Commission, while Anonick and Rowland are being recommended for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
- All four nominations require favorable Senate votes as both agencies continue operating with vacant commissioner seats.
Trump Names Four Candidates for SEC and CFTC Posts
U.S. President Donald Trump has named four individuals for potential positions at the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission, marking the first time he has made such selections since 2025.
According to the White House website, Trump is recommending former CFTC Commissioner Kristin Johnson and attorney Steven Levine for positions at the SEC. Nathan Anonick and Matthew Rowland are being recommended for posts at the CFTC. The nominations are intended to fill vacant seats at both financial regulators, but each candidate will need to receive a favorable vote from the U.S. Senate.
SEC and CFTC Face Limited Commissioner Rosters
The SEC and CFTC oversee important parts of the U.S. financial system, including significant areas of the cryptocurrency markets. Both agencies, however, have operated with a limited number of commissioners since Trump returned to the White House in January 2025.
The SEC is currently led by Chairman Paul Atkins and Commissioner Mark Uyeda. Former Commissioner Hester Peirce’s term expired, and she left the agency several weeks ago. The CFTC currently has only one commissioner, Chairman Mike Selig.
Each agency can have up to five commissioners, and both have traditionally been staffed by bipartisan panels. If confirmed, the four nominees would help restore additional leadership capacity at the regulators and bring the agencies closer to their full authorized membership.
Why This Matters
Senate consideration of the four nominees will determine whether the SEC and CFTC can expand their commissioner rosters after months of limited staffing. The agencies’ composition is particularly significant for oversight of cryptocurrency markets, as well as for broader regulation of U.S. financial markets. The next formal step is favorable Senate action on each nomination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Donald Trump nominate for SEC positions?
Trump recommended former CFTC Commissioner Kristin Johnson and attorney Steven Levine for positions at the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Who did Donald Trump recommend for the CFTC?
Trump recommended Nathan Anonick and Matthew Rowland for positions at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
What happens next?
Each nomination must receive a favorable vote from the U.S. Senate before the candidate can take a position at either agency.
