A high-profile House hearing on crypto regulation saw a dramatic interruption as House Democrats, led by Rep. Maxine Waters, walked out in protest over President Donald Trump’s involvement in the cryptocurrency sector. The joint hearing, organized by the House Financial Services and Agriculture Committees, aimed to discuss a new draft of market structure legislation that would divide oversight of digital assets between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. However, political tensions flared as Waters protested the hearing due to concerns about Trump’s financial ties to cryptocurrencies. “I object to this joint hearing because of the corruption of the President of the United States and his ownership of crypto and his oversight of all the agencies” she stated during the session before exiting with other Democrats. Waters’ objection stemmed from Trump’s alleged involvement in the crypto industry, including his own personal investments and ties to various organizations that have interests within the sector. The move came after Waters warned Committee Chair French Hill that she would oppose the session unless Republican lawmakers agreed to include language addressing Trump’s financial ties to cryptocurrencies. Concerns over these links have intensified recently with Trump and his wife, Melania, actively engaging in cryptocurrency ventures. A pro-Trump financial group even launched a stablecoin, adding fuel to the existing tensions surrounding Trump’s involvement in the industry. While Hill defended the bipartisan nature of the legislation, highlighting its universal requirements for all issuers of digital assets, Democrats remained unconvinced. The hearing is still ongoing at the time of this report, but the walkout underscores the deep partisan divide surrounding crypto regulation and Trump’s influence within the sector.