President Trump reportedly ordered his former White House chief of staff John Kelly last year to grant a security clearance to his son-in-law and White House senior adviser Jared Kushner.
The New York Times reports that Trump ordered Kelly in May to override the security concerns of top U.S. officials and grant a top-secret clearance to Kushner, whose clearance had been downgraded from that level earlier in the year.
The report of Trump’s order, which the Times said was documented at the time by Kelly in a memo, contradicts statements the president made to the newspaper last month in which he claimed he had no role in the reinstatement of his son-in-law’s security clearance.
A spokesman for Abbe Lowell, Kushner’s attorney, told the Times for its report Thursday that the White House conveyed to Kushner that his security clearance was handled under normal procedures.
“In 2018, White House and security clearance officials affirmed that Mr. Kushner’s security clearance was handled in the regular process with no pressure from anyone. That was conveyed to the media at the time, and new stories, if accurate, do not change what was affirmed at the time,” the spokesman said.
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Trump ordered John Kelly to grant Kushner’s security clearance: report https://t.co/q0EIYkmKKV pic.twitter.com/cwDpwPQwG0
— The Hill (@thehill) March 1, 2019
Oh, look. Both John Kelly and Don McGahn kept notes on Trump’s decisions and their dissent.
Like Comey. McCabe. And others. Keep a detailed record. https://t.co/T3stRnxkf2
— Alex Finley (@alexzfinley) February 28, 2019
Back during the Comey business, tried to explain to Trumpers that professionals keep notes when they’re ordered to do something shady. They were certain that only Comey would do that. Because they are dumb and do not understand government. https://t.co/ZSQBTvhvWq
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) March 1, 2019
WaPo confirms and matches NYT exclusive on Trump ordering Kelly to give a clearance to Kushner, despite claiming otherwise https://t.co/b2eddtOQ6X
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) March 1, 2019
An insult to everyone who’s ever had to fill out clearance paperwork, and an obvious threat to national security. But hey, lol nothing matters I guess. https://t.co/tfvDL0tJVy
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) March 1, 2019
Just when I thought I was numb to Presidential malfeasance, this comes along. The reason Kushner could not be cleared normally has everything to do with his international indebtedness and vulnerability to compromise. He should not be anywhere near a senior government position. https://t.co/67K0a24rxo
— Joseph J Collins (@josephcollins77) March 1, 2019
People who have never worked in government may not understand what a big deal this Kushner story is. Aside from the security risk and the lies, it is such an insult to every public servant who jumps through a million hoops to do things the right way with zero margin for error.
— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) February 28, 2019
And this order came from a president who could never, ever, ever be approved for a security clearance himself. https://t.co/GvRm5ZJsRF
— George Conway (@gtconway3d) March 1, 2019
Hard to be worried about foreign agents blackmailing Jared knowing they’re probably blackmailing Trump too
— Allahpundit (@allahpundit) February 28, 2019
If Kushner hasn't resigned by the time we wake up tomorrow, it is a sign that the basic checks of government have ceased to function. Congress should be unanimously calling for his resignation and absolutely refuse to move on until we get it. https://t.co/4BnfaA6fbL
— Susan Hennessey (@Susan_Hennessey) February 28, 2019
Regarding Mr. Kushner and his clearance debacle @20Committee flagged this last year. It’s worth a reread. Pay attention to this paragraph. https://t.co/h8MvpVToXf in context of all of the info dropping now. Also for those really into the spy stuff Schindler also does @thespybrief pic.twitter.com/Wqoiv4kpax
— Chris “Cal” Carnahan (@xtrixcyclex) March 2, 2019
This is not only true, but it's an ongoing threat. https://t.co/bOPXLDoJKE
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) March 4, 2019
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