- Supporters are worried that Patrick Witt’s upcoming military leave will further delay the CLARITY Act into next year.
Patrick Witt, Executive Director of the President’s Council of Advisors for Digital Assets, is taking military leave. It leaves the Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act without its point person at the White House.
Patrick Witt’s Military Leave
The White House crypto adviser is reportedly taking military leave, as he’s about to start his mandatory Judge Advocate General (JAG) training on July 27 in the Georgia National Guard. It’s part of the requirement for his advancement as a JAG officer, a military attorney.
According to reports, Witt signed up for the months-long program scheduled last spring. He initially requested postponement of his participation, citing his crucial role at the White House, particularly in the CLARITY Act negotiations. After the top brass gave its approval for his previous request, he can no longer avail himself of the same privilege to further delay his part in the mandatory program.
What It Means for the CLARITY Act
Witt has yet to provide an official statement about the matter. However, the latest turn of events had the crypto community worried.
David Sacks, Chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, notably called Witt “absolutely indispensable in getting the CLARITY Act to the finish line.” That alone speaks about his vital role in the pending legislation, which will establish regulatory rails in the crypto industry.
Sentiment about the CLARITY Act’s passage this year grew dim amid the update, with Polymarket odds down to 39% on Tuesday. It reflects an all-time low outlook for the bipartisan bill, as it faces scrutiny from lawmakers questioning its ethics and open-source software developer protection provisions, in addition to Witt’s upcoming leave.
Nonetheless, the public expects Harry Jung, Deputy Director of the President’s Council of Advisors for Digital Assets, to fill in for Witt’s role temporarily. With his credentials, including serving as crypto lead at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and Senior Vice President at Citi, he brings a wealth of institutional knowledge to the table.
Witt Responds to ABA and ICBA’s Final Push for Stablecoin Yield Ban
Meanwhile, the American Bankers Association (ABA) and the Independent Community Bankers of America don’t appear to be giving up on their push for strict stablecoin provisions in the CLARITY Act. During the weekend, the trade groups wrote to Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Minority Leader Charles Schumer, urging the lawmakers to reconsider their position on the partial restrictions on stablecoin yields.
Playing the same tune during the heated discussions in the White House during the first half of 2026, they claimed that the current language in the bipartisan bill remains ambiguous. They said it could still enable stablecoins to compete with bank deposits, which could trigger capital flight from banks to crypto.
Witt told them to put the issue to rest because it had already been settled before the CLARITY Act’s Senate markup.
“Asked and answered,” Witt commented. “Give it a rest.”
