Kushner loses ‘top-secret’ security clearance

WASHINGTON—Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and trusted adviser, no longer has access to top-secret intelligence. All White House aides with a temporary “top secret” clearance had their access downgraded to “secret” level, according to a memo from the White House chief of staff delivered to those aides on Friday. The resignation earlier this month of White House staff secretary Rob Porter, over domestic abuse accusations, revealed many White House staffers, including Porter and Kushner, never received a permanent security clearance. Those who did not successfully clear background checks or were still under review had temporary clearances issued by the president. Trump has the ability to grant his son-in-law a permanent “top secret” clearance but said he left the decision up to White House chief of staff John Kelly. Kushner has many responsibilities at the White House, including roles dealing with security issues and foreign policy. His downgraded security clearance means he will no longer be able to join meetings about or review documents containing the nation’s most valuable information. But Kushner’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, insisted the downgrade will not affect Kushner’s ability to do his job.