On March 20, reports surfaced that the SEC is investigating the EF

One week later, the EF proposed changing Ethereum’s issuance curve and is loudly shouted down by the community 

Seems like pretty compelling evidence that the EF doesn’t control the protocol. Coincidence or strategic lawyering? I think the latter

Crypto, F1, and Lawyering account for 90% of my waking hours 

Crypto Regulation; Ex-Circle Public Policy, Advisor Carrot Group

Imo, this would be falsifiable if: 
(i) researchers didn't expect the public outcry (unlikely)
(ii) the timeframe for releasing the proposal was established pre-subpoena (fairly likely)
(iii) researchers never discussed with counsel (???)

tbh I'm really looking for a silver lining in a rough time for us ETH stans 😅

This is an interesting perspective. What, if anything, would make this falsifiable.

The anti-crypto army is starting to flail about in desperation as it nears total defeat