CONTACT: Jordan Libowitz
202-408-5565 | [email protected]

Washington—Jared Kushner’s temporary security clearance should be revoked, according to a complaint filed today with White House Chief of Staff John Kelly by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW). Kushner should not have access to classified information until he passes the comprehensive background investigation required to obtain a permanent security clearance.

Despite serving as a senior adviser to the president for over a year, Kushner has yet to pass the background check for full clearance. However, he has been given “unprecedented” access to the president’s daily intelligence briefing and other highly classified information. This access represents a security threat.

Kushner failed to disclose multiple contacts with Russian officials and other foreign governments in his initial application for a security clearance, raising security concerns and questions about his candor. Kushner’s role in President Trump’s campaign and transition also is being examined as part of the criminal probes that are being conducted by the FBI and Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

“There are serious questions as to the Trump administration’s handling of secure information,” CREW Executive Director Noah Bookbinder said. “Failure to revoke Jared Kushner’s temporary clearance would set a dangerous precedent by signaling a willingness to tolerate unacceptable national security risks.”

Kushner also has retained extensive business interests while serving in the White House, raising further concerns about his suitability for access to classified information. He is entangled with foreign business interests, his family’s businesses have sought substantial foreign investments and he reportedly is being targeted by China and possibly other countries, who may be using his business interests and foreign contacts as a means to influence him.

“Kushner’s temporary clearance should be revoked immediately in light of the substantial national security risk that his continued clearance presents until his application for a permanent clearance is adjudicated,” Bookbinder said.

Click here to read the complaint.