A lifetime ban seems a bit extreme. I can see a ban on activities while in office and perhaps a little after, but a lifetime is a long time in the stock market.

A lifetime ban seems a bit extreme. I can see a ban on activities while in office and perhaps a little after, but a lifetime is a long time in the stock market. US officials should be investing in broad market index funds. It would allow them to still reap the benefits of owning stocks without the conflicts of interests. They should be betting on America, not individual companies. And without insider knowledge, they would have basically no chance of beating — or even competing — with index funds long term.