President Donald Trump has agreed to tougher ethics provisions in the CLARITY Act before a key Senate vote scheduled for Tuesday. The compromise gives state attorneys general a larger enforcement role and responds to concerns over presidential crypto conflicts. Several Democratic senators and Republican Sen. Thom Tillis had pushed for stricter rules before supporting the bill.
The bill originally barred federally elected officials, their spouses, and federal judges from issuing digital assets. Critics said that language did not fully address concerns tied to Trump’s crypto wealth and business interests.
Tillis and Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego sought stronger provisions with several other Democrats. Their proposal called for state attorneys general to enforce the law alongside the Justice Department.
Republican Sens. Cynthia Lummis, Tim Scott, and John Boozman said Trump accepted a significant portion of that proposal. They said the revised framework gives state attorneys general a meaningful enforcement role.
Maryland Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, viewed as an important swing vote, said state attorneys general must have the power to prosecute when the Justice Department does not act. She also said she would not support legislation that failed to address ethics.
Meanwhile, White House crypto adviser Patrick Witt said the administration and Senate Republicans had responded to Democratic policy demands throughout the negotiations. He said the talks had continued for more than a year.
Presidents have often remained outside federal conflict-of-interest laws since they oversee the entire government. Some modern presidents have still chosen blind trusts, while Cabinet officials can divest assets or recuse themselves.
Read More: Donald Trump’s Face on US Currency, USD 1 Coin Sells Out Fast
Congress passed a stablecoin law last year that restricted members of Congress and their families from profiting from stablecoins. The measure did not extend those limits to Trump or his family.
The White House has said Trump does not take part in family business decisions handled by his sons. Trump had also criticized cryptocurrency during his first term before later embracing the industry.
Trump’s crypto revenues reached USD 1.2 billion, according to the information provided. More than USD 600 million came from sales of meme coins carrying his image through CIC Digital LLC.
Last May, Trump hosted leading investors in the $TRUMP meme coin at his northern Virginia golf club. The White House said he attended the dinner in his personal time.
Trump’s support for tougher CLARITY Act ethics rules gives state attorneys general a larger enforcement role before Tuesday’s Senate vote. The compromise addresses concerns raised by Tillis and key Democrats while scrutiny continues around Trump’s crypto revenues and business ties.