John Reed Stark, former head of the SEC Internet Enforcement Office, accused Gary Gensler of promoting five senior officials in the SEC's enforcement department to ensure his influence after leaving. Four of these officials have extensive experience in cryptocurrency enforcement. He called these actions unprecedented and noted that such promotions usually last for ten years, not one month. Stark explained that these are career civil service positions, which means that the new government cannot easily cancel them.

Stark said, "SEC Chairman Gary Gensler is apparently trying to manipulate the SEC's enforcement department after leaving office." He added that these promotions were carried out quietly, without public announcements or press releases.