Jared Kushner Image by Getty Images

By Nathan Guttman July 19, 2017

As President Trump’s closest aide, Jared Kushner holds an interim top security clearance which allows him access to classified meetings and information relating to national security issues.

But now, Democrats are calling on the White House to revoke Kushner’s clearance, or at least not put it on hold until it is clear whether he played a role in the suspected Russian interference in the 2016 presidential elections. According to CNN, the White House is taking this threat seriously and are concerned the FBI may not approve Kushner for a permanent clearance, following recent discoveries regarding his participation, alongside brother-in-law Donald Trump Jr. in a meeting with a Russian lawyer offering damming information about Hillary Clinton during the presidential campaign.

Kushner’s clearance is now up for review and according to his lawyer, the president’s son-in-law “has tried to be fully transparent and responsive in the background investigations process.” Losing the clearance could cripple Kushner’s work on many of the issues in his portfolio, including Middle East peacemaking and international relations.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

But concerns over Kushner’s security clearance may be overstated since his presidential father-in-law has the final say.

Contact Nathan Guttman at [email protected] or on Twitter @nathanguttman

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda

At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse.

Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount