White House CLARITY adviser Witt to begin JAG training

Patrick Witt will wrap up his White House duties on July 24 and report at the end of July for Judge Advocate General (JAG) training with the Georgia Army National Guard. The course will qualify him to serve as a legal officer in the Guard.

Witt has served as executive director of the President’s Council of Advisors for Digital Assets since August 2025 and has been the administration’s principal negotiator on the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, commonly known as the CLARITY Act. He plans to step away from active council duties for several months while he completes JAG training.

Deputy director Harry Jung is expected to assume Witt’s day-to-day responsibilities, including coordinating talks with industry and congressional staff and managing ongoing negotiations. Witt intends to participate in discussions and briefings when his training schedule permits.

The CLARITY Act would establish a federal regulatory framework for the U.S. crypto market, addressing stablecoin rules, market structure and oversight. Senators are due to begin their August recess on Aug. 8, leaving a limited window for finalizing bill language and securing votes.

Witt has been involved in negotiating disputed points between crypto firms and banking representatives, including how stablecoin yields should be handled and the scope of ethics provisions for market participants.

Cody Carbone, CEO of Digital Chamber, described Witt as “forthcoming and honest” with stakeholders about his planned military leave.

The White House and Witt did not respond to requests for comment. Council officials say the handover to Jung is intended to preserve continuity while Witt completes military qualification and prepares to serve as a JAG officer.