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CFTC Leadership Shake-Up: Commissioner Kristin Johnson to Step Down

Kristin Johnson’s planned departure marks the fourth commissioner exit in weeks, signaling a major leadership shift at the CFTC under the returning Trump administration.

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Julia Smith

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Julia Smith

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Julia is an experienced editor with a passion for covering a wide variety of beats. She loves all things politics and regularly covers regulatory updates on emerging technology here for Crypto News.

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Last updated:

May 21, 2025

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Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Commissioner Kristin Johnson is announcing her intent to leave the regulator as the agency faces a string of departures, a new statement posted to the CFTC website shows.

Kristin Johnson Bids Farewell To The CFTC

According to Johnson’s statement, the former Emory University professor has notified U.S. President Donald Trump of her decision to leave the CFTC at the end of the year.

Statement of @CFTCjohnson on Her Departure from the CFTChttps://t.co/YL6q62bXo3
— CFTC (@CFTC) May 21, 2025

“Although this is a difficult decision, I am proud of the work that I have accomplished and am deeply grateful for the chance to develop meaningful relationships with staff and current and former Commissioners during my tenure at the CFTC,” Johnson said.

“I am confident that the Commission will continue to do important work protecting investors and customers, combatting fraud and market manipulation, and ensuring market integrity and stability,” she added.

Fourth Departure of a CFTC Commissioner

Johnson was originally appointed to the derivatives markets regulating agency under former U.S. President Joe Biden in 2022, with her term completed in April of this year.

Her decision to step down marks the fourth departure of a CFTC commissioner in recent weeks, with Republican official Christy Goldsmith announcing her May 31 exit just last Friday.

Fellow Commissioner Caroline Pham will also leave her position when Trump’s pick to lead the CFTC, Brian Quintenz, is appointed to his role – though a set date has yet to be confirmed.

Meanwhile, Republican Commissioner Summer Mersinger will leave the agency on May 30 before beginning her tenure as CEO of the Blockchain Association.

“It has been a privilege to work and serve at the CFTC in both the first and the current Trump Administrations, doing my part to assist in pursuing the President’s important policies,” Mersinger said in a May 14 farewell statement posted to the CFTC’s website.

No future CFTC commissioners have been announced by Trump, though given the aforementioned officials’ upcoming exits, it appears highly likely that he will do so in the near future.