Top Democrats slam Trump for nepotism over Kushner’s security clearance

Two top Democrats on Thursday are accusing President Trump of “nepotism” and putting “blood” ahead of national security. 

Reps. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) warned that their committees will be examining whether The New York Times accurately reported that Trump overruled concerns last year and demanded that his former chief of staff give his adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner a top-secret clearance.

“There is no nepotism exception for background investigations,” Schiff said in a statement.

Schiff continued, saying that the allegation “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.”

{mosads}Schiff, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said he would be working with the House Oversight and Reform Committee to investigate the White House’s security clearance process. 

Swalwell, the head of an intelligence subcommittee who has been considering a run for president, said Trump “jeopardized our national security.”

“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,” he said in the statement. “To ensure our deepest secrets are protected, we will work to ensure clearances are granted based on trust, not by blood or bond.”

The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment. 

“In 2018, White House and security clearance officials affirmed that Mr. Kushner’s security clearance was handled in the regular process with no pressure from anyone. That was conveyed to the media at the time, and new stories, if accurate, do not change what was affirmed at the time,” a spokesperson for Kushner’s lawyer told the Times.