President Trump's Son-in-Law and Senior Adviser Jared Kushner has lost his Top-Secret Security Clearance, being Downgraded along with the rest of the White House Aides working on Interim Clearances to the "Secret" Level.
White House Chief of Staff John Kelly moved Friday to revoke High-Level Access to Classified Information for White House Employees whose Background Checks have been Pending since before June 2017. Kushner had apparently been "resisting giving up his access to highly classified information,".
All Aides with the Interim Highest-Level Clearances were informed of their Statuses being Downgraded Friday in a Memo that was not signed by Kelly.
Trump could theoretically Grant Kushner Permanent Security Clearance himself, but he told Reporters Friday: "I will let General Kelly make that decision." Kelly assured last week: "I have full confidence in [Kushner's] ability to continue performing his duties in his foreign policy portfolio including overseeing our Israeli-Palestinian peace effort and serving as an integral part of our relationship with Mexico."
Scrutiny over Security Clearances erupted earlier this Month during the Scandal over former White House Staff Secretary Rob Porter. Porter apparently had been denied Permanent Access to Highly Classified Information after the FBI had learned of Domestic Violence allegations against him leveled by his Two Ex-Wives.
Kushner is reportedly being Investigated by Special Counsel Robert Mueller as part of the ongoing Russia Investigation.
An Interim Security clearance (also known as "Interim Security eligibility") is based on the completion of minimum investigative requirements and granted on a temporary basis, pending the completion of the full investigative requirements for the final secret clearance. Interim Security clearances can be issued quickly, but are not sufficient for access to special categories of classified information, such as COMSEC, NATO, and restricted data.
The Personnel Security Branch will automatically consider applicants/employees who will occupy a position designated as Non-Critical Sensitive or Critical Sensitive for an Interim Security Clearance. The Interim Security Clearance will be granted based on the favorable completion of the preliminary checks that are accomplished as part of the suitability and security clearance process.
A Security Clearance is a status granted to individuals allowing them access to classified information (state or organizational secrets) or to restricted areas, after completion of a thorough background check. The term "security clearance" is also sometimes used in private organizations that have a formal process to vet employees for access to sensitive information.
During my service in the Air Force from 1965 - 1971, I had a Top-Security Clearance.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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