Senator Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said he supports prohibiting presidents and other federal officials from trading individual stocks, adding his voice to ongoing debates about financial conflicts of interest in government.

Hawley's comments come as Vice President-elect JD Vance has defended stock trading activity disclosed in recent Trump administration financial filings. When questioned about the trading, Vance responded dismissively, saying "Come on, man."

The issue of stock trading by government officials has gained increased attention in recent years, with lawmakers from both parties proposing various restrictions. Current ethics rules require disclosure of stock trades but do not prohibit them outright for most federal positions.

Proponents of trading bans argue that officials with access to non-public information that could affect markets should be prevented from potentially profiting from that knowledge. Critics contend that such restrictions could discourage qualified candidates from seeking public service.

The debate reflects broader concerns about conflicts of interest in government, particularly as financial markets have become more accessible to individual investors through online trading platforms. Several bills have been introduced in Congress to address the issue, though none have advanced to final passage.