Schiff and Swalwell Statements on Report of Kushner Security Clearance

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), the Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), the Chairman of the Intelligence Modernization and Readiness Subcommittee, released the following statements.

Chairman Adam Schiff:

"The revelation that President Trump personally intervened to overrule White House security officials and the Intelligence Community to grant a Top Secret security clearance to his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is the latest indicator of the President's utter disregard for our national security and for the men and women who sacrifice so much every day to keep us safe. There is no nepotism exception for background investigations.

"Worse still was the White House's oft-repeated lie that Kushner had been granted the clearance at the conclusion of a normal process. Reports indicate, moreover, that Kushner's access to the nation's most tightly held secrets, which require separate adjudication by the Intelligence Community, was restricted. This is a clear indication of the deep unease that national security officials have about Kushner's suitability.

"As part of its oversight of the Intelligence Community, the House Intelligence Committee will be working closely with the Oversight and Reform Committee to support their investigation into the White House's security clearance process."

Chairman Eric Swalwell:

"As chair of the Intelligence Modernization and Readiness Subcommittee, I'm concerned the President has jeopardized our national security by putting clearances in the hands of unscrupulous people, and against the recommendations of background investigators. To ensure our deepest secrets are protected, we will work to ensure clearances are granted based on trust, not by blood or bond."