Sen. Warren presses Trump AI and crypto czar Sacks on whether he's overstayed his job

A short-term role for venture capitalist David Sacks in the Trump administration seems to have extended far beyond its intended duration, raising concerns among prominent Democratic legislators. Senator Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts and Representative Melanie Stansbury from New Mexico, alongside other progressive lawmakers, are questioning whether Sacks has exceeded the 130-day limit set for Special Government Employees (SGE). In a letter sent on Wednesday, these lawmakers demanded that Sacks account for each day of his service since he began in January. They requested details about where he has conducted official business and who in the White House is responsible for overseeing his compliance with the regulations. The legislators cautioned that exceeding the employment limit could trigger further ethical issues, especially as the Trump administration seeks to implement newly passed cryptocurrency legislation and establish guidelines for the crypto sector. Sacks was appointed by President Trump as the 'crypto and AI czar' to influence policy in these vital industries. The SGE designation allows individuals from the private sector to temporarily serve in government roles with relaxed conflict of interest rules. Back in March, Sacks revealed that he had sold over $200 million in digital asset investments, both personally and through his firm, Craft Ventures, prior to taking this position, according to a White House memo. Reports indicate that Sacks has been balancing his time between Washington, D.C., and Silicon Valley to remain under the limit, despite claims from colleagues that he has 'no intention of leaving,' as noted by Semafor. Warren and Stansbury contend that manipulating the rules threatens the integrity of the balance Congress aimed to create with the SGE category. This inquiry aligns with their previous efforts to enhance transparency and ethical standards for temporary government advisors. The letter has garnered support from other notable figures, including Senator Bernie Sanders, Independent from Vermont, and Democratic Senators Richard Blumenthal, Chris Van Hollen, and Jeff Merkley, as well as Representatives Betty McCollum and Rashida Tlaib. The White House and Sacks have yet to respond to requests for comments regarding this investigation.