Elizabeth Warren Questions David Sacks’ Role as Trump’s Crypto Adviser

President Donald Trump’s top crypto adviser, venture capitalist David Sacks, is facing scrutiny from lawmakers over his status as a “special government employee” (SGE). The designation allows temporary federal service for no more than 130 days a year. Senator Elizabeth Warren, joined by Bernie Sanders and other Democrats, sent a letter pressing Sacks to disclose how many days he has worked since Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025.

According to the letter, if Sacks worked every business day, his 130-day limit expired on July 25, 2025. Lawmakers argue that exceeding the cap undermines the legal framework designed to prevent conflicts of interest, especially since SGE status enables him to continue his role at Craft Ventures while serving in government. The letter characterizes their review as an “investigation” into whether Sacks has overstepped his mandate.

The SGE designation has been a hallmark of Trump’s administration, also applied to Tesla CEO Elon Musk. While intended to bring private-sector expertise into government, critics warn it can blur ethical lines. Earlier this year, Democrats introduced bills to restrict SGEs from leveraging government roles for personal or financial gain.

Since January, more than 170 business days have passed. During that time, Sacks has been the architect of Trump’s aggressive pro-crypto agenda, highlighted by the signing of a landmark law regulating U.S. stablecoin issuers. Sacks also supervises the President’s Council of Advisers on Digital Assets, initially led by Bo Hines, who later joined Tether. Patrick Witt now directs the council, confirming he continues to work closely with Sacks.

The outcome of this investigation could shape how Washington balances private-sector influence in federal crypto and AI policy.