Tag: Trump abuse of national security

Jared Kushner identified as senior White House official whose security clearance was denied by career officials

The Trump administration is under scrutiny for bucking the established security clearance procedure once again – this time, for 25 administration officials. (Video: Jenny Starrs/Photo: Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

The senior White House official whose security clearance was denied last year because of concerns about foreign influence, private business interests and personal conduct is presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner, according to people familiar with documents and testimony provided to the House Oversight Committee.

Kushner was identified only as “Senior White House Official 1” in committee documents released this week describing the testimony of Tricia Newbold, a whistleblower in the White House’s personnel security office who said she and another career employee determined that Kushner had too many “significant disqualifying factors” to receive a clearance.

Their decision was overruled by Carl Kline, the career official who then headed the office, according to Newbold’s interview with committee staff.

View the complete April 3 article by Tom Hamburger, Rachael Bade .and Ashley Parker on The Washington Post website here

When Trump Phones Friends, the Chinese and the Russians Listen and Learn

Credit: Matt Rourke, AP Photo

WASHINGTON — When President Trump calls old friends on one of his iPhones to gossip, gripe or solicit their latest take on how he is doing, American intelligence reports indicate that Chinese spies are often listening — and putting to use invaluable insights into how to best work the president and affect administration policy, current and former American officials said.

Mr. Trump’s aides have repeatedly warned him that his cellphone calls are not secure, and they have told him that Russian spies are routinely eavesdropping on the calls, as well. But aides say the voluble president, who has been pressured into using his secure White House landline more often these days, has still refused to give up his iPhones. White House officials say they can only hope he refrains from discussing classified information when he is on them.

Mr. Trump’s use of his iPhones was detailed by several current and former officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity so they could discuss classified intelligence and sensitive security arrangements. The officials said they were doing so not to undermine Mr. Trump, but out of frustration with what they considered the president’s casual approach to electronic security.

View the complete October 24 article by Matthew Rosenberg and Maggie Haberman on the New York Times website here.