Kushner's Security Clearance Downgraded

Jared Kushner and other White House aides are having their security clearances downgraded, three sources tell Politico. In the wake of the Rob Porter scandal, which uncovered the fact that many White House aides had access to top secret information despite not having received permanent security clearances, White House chief of staff John Kelly overhauled the security clearance process. The sources say Kushner and all other aides who had had interim Top Secret/SCI-level clearances—the highest level—received a memo Friday telling them their clearances would be downgraded to the Secret level, CNN reports. That means Kushner will no longer have access to top-secret intelligence; he previously enjoyed unrestricted access to many sensitive documents including the president's daily brief.

Trump can grant Kushner a permanent clearance, but had said Friday he would let Kelly make that decision; Kelly had said last week that Kushner would be able "to continue performing his duties." The memo was not signed by Kelly, and the White House has not commented on the memo. "We actually haven’t commented on Jared’s issue indicated, but we have commented on his ability to do his job. Which, he’s a valued member of the team and he will continue to do the important work that he’s been doing since he’s started in the administration," said White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders at a Tuesday briefing. Kushner's attorney said in a statement that the changes will "not affect Mr. Kushner’s ability to continue to do the very important work he has been assigned by the president." (More Jared Kushner stories.)