Lawmakers Face Heat Over Stock Buys Amid Tariff Chaos

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 10, 2025 – While Wall Street withdrew from the sudden imposition of tariffs swept away by President Donald Trump, a series of stock purchases by legislators sparked a new controversy in ​Washington. The time for these ​trades, which take ​place just before a brief rebound of the market, has ​resumed discussions on trade in Congress’s ​actions, ethics and the fine ​line between financial information and internal information.

What caused the last chaos in the market?

President Trump declared on April ​2nd as ​”Day of Liberation”, revealing ​a radical commercial strategy that included a 10% reference tariff on almost all the most pronounced imported goods and reciprocal tariffs against specific countries and industries. This movement has sent shock waves to the financial ​markets. On ​Thursday, the main indices fell sharply, and the most publicised shares, such as Apple, ​Nike and Lullulemon, were very successful. According to the ​New York Times, Nike’s stock fell by more than 13%, marking its lowest point since 2017. Only Apple saw $301 ​billion erased from ​its market coverage before noon, as ​Forbes ​said.

The sectors most affected are those that rely heavily on global supply chains, particularly in Asia, such as consumer electronics and ​clothing. Car manufacturers have also been beaten, especially foreign brands ​such as Honda and Subaru, whose ​American models have ​suddenly become more expensive due to pricing.

Who bought the dip and why ​is it important?

Although most investors were trying to understand the implications of ​trade policy change, some ​in ​Congress seemed to be acting – or rather taking advantage of ​the chaos. In particular, Georgia’s representative, Marjorie Taylor Greene, reported stock purchases in 17 companies, investing between $19,000 and $285,000. This ​included blue chip names like Apple, ​which just saw a significant drop. According ​to ​Business Insider, Greene’s exchanges took place immediately after Trump’s announcement.

In a statement to the media, Greene stated that he had delegated investment decisions to his financial advisor under a trust agreement. “All my investments are declared transparently. I refuse to hide my actions in blind trust as many others do.”

she stated, pushing back against calls for stricter oversight.

What are the allegations of domestic trade?

Democratic legislators expressed concern that these stores in a timely ​manner could be equivalent to domestic trade ​or at least give the impression ​of unethical behaviour. Hakeem minority leader Jeffries told journalists: “We must get to the bottom of the possible manipulation of ongoing actions in front of the American people”

In letters to the Securities and Change Committee (SEC) and the Government Ethics Office, the ​Democrats are asking for an investigation into whether Trump or ​his allies have benefited financially from the knowledge that tariffs will soon cease, a development ​that has briefly reversed the market plunge. The president had announced the 90-day break just ​after the opening of the markets, saying it was ​a “great time to ​buy,” which could tell inmates that ​a rebound was imminent.

How do Republicans respond to ​the ​accusations?

The White House rejected these claims, with spokesperson Kush Desai claiming that the president was only reassuring in the markets in economic ​uncertainty. “Democrats have fought ​against the Chinese ​trap ​for decades, and now they are playing party games instead of celebrating President Trump’s ​decisive action”

​he said.

Some Republicans, such as Senator Josh Hawley ​of Missouri, also rejected the idea of coordinated manipulation. The president didn’t decide what he was going to do before

Hawley said, ​implying the announcement wasn’t premeditated or shared in advance with allies.

Did Moreno take his own ​advice?

Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio, Trump’s ally, urged Americans to “buy the plunge” even when markets grow longer. “I’d go out and buy stock ​today. ​Many opportunities, many companies that have a strong assessment”

he ​told reporters, echoing the ​optimism shared by Trump.

But Moreno admitted ​to ​Business Insider that he did not act on his own advice. After ​leaving during his Senate campaign in 2024, Moreno said that he had refrained ​from negotiating ​to avoid “unhappy and rare conversations.” This distance may well serve you, such as a ballot about the financial behaviour of ​public officials during ​market volatility.

Why ​does ​Congressional commerce share a hot button problem?

This is not the first time that Congress came under ​fire during the ​crises. ​The ​issue was first addressed in the early days of the ​VOCID-19 pandemic, while several legislators did well shortly after receiving private information on the economic ​consequences of the virus. Despite ​the ​indignation of both ​parties and repeated attempts to adopt laws prohibiting trade in Congress, no radical reform has yet been adopted.

Ocasio-Cortez, critic ​of practice, no words. “Frankly, I ​don’t care if the Democrats did, I don’t care if the Republicans did, we’re not here ​to feed on the hard.”

she said, underscoring the ​conflict of interest at play when ​lawmakers ​can personally profit from ​the timing of public policies.

How do tariffs ​affect the US average?

Beyond the stock market drama, tariffs already affect real life. Stellantis NV – formerly Fiat Chrysler – announced the lay-off ​of 900 workers ​in a ​Michigan plant, citing the economic tension of tariffs on supply chains. Consumers are expected to carry gross product as prices increase through a ​wide range of goods, including vehicles, electronics and clothing.

Moreno argued that higher ​prices ​are a price worth paying for economic patriotism. In an appearance on CNN, he minimized ​concern about foreign car prices, suggesting that wealthy buyers would not care if a $500,000 car became more expensive. But for most Americans, the problem is not luxury vehicles. This is the Toyota Corolla or Honda CR-V – medium ​class transport staples – whose prices can increase in thousands.

But Moreno’s still not here. “If one car gets in ​the price because there’s a fare, that ​person would only buy ​the other ​one who doesn’t have a fare,”

he told ​reporters, ​emphasizing ​support for U.S. manufacturing.

Will transparency and accountability prevail?

Legislators have a legal obligation to ​disclose any trade in securities within 45 days of STOCK. ​This means that the complete picture of those who were able to benefit from the chaos will not be clear until ​mid-May at the end. However, voices from all political circles call for immediate disclosure ​to prevent the erosion of public confidence.

“You could also take him ​into the public domain now because he comes later,” said Jeffries, ​urging his colleagues to be proactive. And while ​Greene may have won the ​clock, others are not that fast, or so transparent.

Until stricter controls are established, the dispute ​over trade ​in stocks during periods of national disturbance may reappear, ​and again. Whether they are pandemics, wars or economic shocks, the temptation for personal financial gain will always be lost ​in ​substance unless it is affected by concrete legislative reform.

The public, already skeptical of Washington’s intentions, is watching closely. And in a ​year when trust in institutions is already weakening, the perspective of legislators who benefit from volatility can be more harmful than ever, regardless of legality.