As the stock market plunged last week in response to new economic uncertainty sparked by former President Donald Trump’s proposed tariff policy, U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) was busy making financial moves.
Public financial disclosure reports reveal Greene made a series of stock purchases just as prices were bottoming out — prompting renewed debate about whether members of Congress should be allowed to actively trade in the stock market while in office.
While Greene’s team insists that her investment decisions are handled by a financial advisor, the timing of her trades has drawn scrutiny. Critics argue that lawmakers have privileged access to information and influence over policies that affect the economy, making personal investments inherently problematic.
As markets recover, Greene’s actions are being viewed by some as opportunistic — and by others, unethical.
Stock Market Tumbles Amid Tariff Turmoil
The market slide began early last week, when Trump, currently the presumptive Republican nominee, proposed a sweeping package of tariffs targeting foreign imports.
The announcement spooked investors, who feared retaliatory measures from trade partners and disruptions to global supply chains. Tech, retail, and manufacturing stocks in particular took a beating.
Companies such as Amazon, Lululemon, RH (formerly Restoration Hardware), and Dell Technologies saw their share prices dip by as much as 40% in a matter of days. This widespread volatility, though painful for some, created opportunities for investors willing to “buy the dip.”
According to Greene’s congressional financial disclosure, she did just that, acquiring shares in each of these four companies between April 3 and April 4. Each trade ranged between $1,001 and $15,000 in value.
Interestingly, within days of her purchases, some of these stocks began to rebound. RH’s stock, for example, surged by over 30% after Greene’s acquisition. While it’s not uncommon for markets to bounce back after sharp declines, the speed of her trades and the size of the rebound quickly became a focal point for ethics watchdogs.
Criticism Mounts Over Ethics and Timing
Critics have long questioned whether lawmakers should be allowed to trade stocks at all. Members of Congress often participate in closed-door briefings about national security, economic policy, and legislation before such information becomes public.
This access, they argue, gives lawmakers — and by extension, their portfolios — an unfair advantage.
In response to the growing criticism, Greene defended her actions by pointing to her financial arrangements. “I have signed a fiduciary agreement to allow my financial advisor to control my investments,” she said. “All of my investments are reported with full transparency in accordance with the law.”
Indeed, congressional members are required to disclose trades within 45 days under the provisions of the STOCK Act (Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act), passed in 2012. However, the law does not prohibit members from making trades; it simply requires timely disclosure.
Still, transparency hasn’t quelled public concern. According to a recent Pew Research survey, more than 75% of Americans support prohibiting congressional members from trading individual stocks while in office, believing it undermines public trust
Calls for Reform Grow Louder
The timing of Greene’s trades has renewed bipartisan calls to tighten restrictions on congressional investing. Several proposed bills, including the Bipartisan Ban on Congressional Stock Trading Act and the TRUST in Congress Act, aim to limit or outright ban individual stock ownership for lawmakers and their spouses.
“Congress is supposed to serve the people, not profit from insider knowledge,” said Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), who introduced a bill that would require members of Congress to place their assets in a blind trust while in office.
Though none of these measures have become law, pressure is building. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have expressed interest in reforms to ensure that legislators are not profiting — or appearing to profit — from their positions of public trust.
Greene Stands Firm on Tariffs and Trading
Despite the scrutiny, Greene has not backed away from either her trades or her support of Trump’s controversial tariff proposals. In a social media post following the market turmoil, she praised the former president’s economic agenda, writing: “Tariffs are a powerful, proven source of leverage to protect our national interests. We will win this trade war.”
Greene has also stated that she believes she is being unfairly targeted because of her political views. Her spokesperson issued a statement noting that she “follows all disclosure rules and has no involvement in the day-to-day decisions made by her financial advisor.”
Whether intentional or coincidental, Greene’s stock purchases aligned almost perfectly with market lows. The timing has raised eyebrows among critics, but it has also brought renewed attention to the broader issue of stock trading in Congress.
Conclusion
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s decision to buy stocks during a market downturn has once again brought the ethics of congressional trading into the spotlight.
While she maintains that her financial moves are legally compliant and handled by an independent advisor, the public remains skeptical of lawmakers who benefit from well-timed trades — especially during periods of economic instability tied to government policy.
As debate continues over how to address these concerns, many Americans are calling for stricter rules or outright bans on congressional stock trading. For now, Greene’s investments remain legal, but the controversy has added fresh urgency to the question of whether public officials should be allowed to profit from private markets.
To learn more about financial disclosure requirements and ethics rules for members of Congress, visit the U.S. House Committee on Ethics.
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