Did Clemenza really pass the loyalty test? though or
Perhaps Clemenza was just lucky! by sitting tight and doing nothing because he was not losing his territories, got away with it?
ie: Clemenza's loyalty was not tested?
Choosing to do nothing is an active, conscious decision. Michael asked both to be patient. Clem was patient, so he did what Michael told him to do. That showed loyalty.
No doubt it is easy to be patient and do nothing, when
not losing his territories like Tessio Let off the hook
Clem vigorously supported Tessio at the beginning of that scene. After Tess said, "...sooner or later, me an' Pete will come under Barzini's thumb," Clem piped right up: "An' I hate that goddamn Barzini." He also asked Vito's permission for Tess and he to form their own family, But, when his Don asked him to be a friend to Michael, he was a friend to Michael, and when asked to be patient, he was patient.
