Top Senate Dem: Kushner’s security clearance ‘bothers me a great deal’

by Michael Burke - 03/03/19 10:18 AM ET

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) said Sunday that it bothers him a “great deal” that President Trump reportedly ordered a security clearance for his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner despite concerns from the intelligence community.

“The president does have a right to give anyone a security clearance, but what I think is inappropriate is these security clearances should be given after the review of the national security officials,” Warner said during an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

“The fact that he, in effect, chooses to give a family member [a security clearance], overriding the recommendations of the community, bothers me a great deal,” Warner added.

“The fact that he, in effect, chooses to give a family member (a security clearance), overriding the recommendations of the community, bothers me a great deal,” Senate Intel Vice Chair @MarkWarner says in response to Trump ordering Jared Kushner’s security clearance. #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/Tb2LQJpuYe

— State of the Union (@CNNSotu) March 3, 2019

The New York Times reported last week that Trump overruled concerns raised by officials in the intelligence community and granted Kushner a top-secret security clearance last year.

{mosads}Warner, the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, on Sunday called for a “further explanation.”

He added, however, that “we shouldn’t be surprised” that Trump “arbitrarily picks which family members get security clearances” despite concerns from intelligence officials.

“This president has consistently been willing to override the advice of the intelligence community,” Warner said.

Tags Donald Trump Jared Kushner Mark Warner