Gowdy: White House response to request for security clearance info ‘inadequate’

House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) wants more information from the White House in response to his questions on security clearances in response to staff secretary Rob Porter’s resignation, calling its reaction “inadequate.” 

The White House refused to comply with the committee’s request on whether it followed proper security clearance procedures for Porter, who resigned last month after allegations of domestic abuse surfaced in the media. The administration on Thursday instead detailed its new security clearance process implemented amid criticism over interim clearances and how the White House handles background checks. 

“The Chairman finds the White House’s response inadequate, and we have communicated to the White House that we expect full compliance,” said Oversight spokeswoman Amanda Gonzalez in a statement on Friday. 

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Gowdy’s original letter last month demanded to know how Porter remained in the administration despite the allegations of domestic abuse by his two ex-wives and his lack of security clearance, and asked for details on the White House’s process for issuing the clearances. 

While chief of staff John Kelly and other administration officials claimed to be unaware of the nature of the allegations until reports surfaced last month, FBI Director Christopher Wray testified to a Senate panel that the bureau had notified the White House of the allegations that popped up in its background check of Porter months earlier. 

The committee is now pushing for a meeting between Gowdy and the White House “to discuss next steps,” according to Gonzalez. 

Multiple White House officials, including senior adviser Jared Kushner, saw their security clearances revoked or downgraded in a Kelly-initiated crackdown following Porter’s ouster.