Steelman a contrarian argument: While morally wrong, we assume his wife does not approve and they do not have an open relationship, his actions were not illegal. There has been no actual evidence that he committed any crime or traded any kind of secrets. While I won’t be surprised if Trump, Lutnick and others involved at the Federal level knew about export controls being circumvented with those allowing it making money on the side, depending on any role in this, maybe he committed a crime and that is a reason for this form of punishment.

I think the damage to the personal life and reputation is more than enough punishment for what sounds like consenting adults doing non illegal things together. Taking his job, tanking nVidia, the AI bubble and the global financial system is going too far.