Retail investors, emboldened by past events, are hopeful that the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will play a pivotal role in rooting out corruption within the SEC and other regulatory bodies, including the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Many investors felt that the SEC failed to protect their interests, allowing market manipulation and dark pool activities to flourish while retail investors were left vulnerable. The SEC’s decision to cut regional directors amid the ongoing DOGE investigation signals a potential turning point for retail investors.