White House’s Security Clearance Process & Jared Kushner’s Interim Clearance
Top Dems Demand Answers
Today, Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson, Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler, and Oversight & Government Reform Committee Ranking Member Elijah Cummings sent a letter to White House Chief of Staff John Kelly to demand answers on how the Trump White House handles the security clearance process for its staff. Press reports revealing details of Jared Kushner’s one year old interim clearance calls the clearance adjudication process for White House staff into question.
“We are writing to obtain information related to the White House’s interim security clearance process. According to press reports, a year after becoming a White House advisor, Jared Kushner still has access to our most critical national security information pursuant to an interim security clearance.”
“Mr. Kushner’s case raises serious questions about whether his situation is an isolated one among White House senior staff. It also raises concerns about the clearance adjudication process for White House staff generally. It is unprecedented for fourteen individuals to have access to the highly classified President’s Daily Briefing, let alone a single individual who is unable to obtain security clearance all together.”
“In an effort to bring more transparency and conduct effective oversight, Congress must have access to information about staff serving in our Nation’s highest office. While we understand you cannot speak to ongoing investigations, it is important for us to understand the reason for Kushner’s delayed security clearance, how many other White House staff are similarly situated, and determine what risks these delays may pose to our nation’s security.”
