Today, Explained For all eyes only
Mar 12, 2019
Ella Nilsen, a political analyst at Vox, dives into the controversial world of security clearances in the Trump administration. She discusses how some officials, including Jared Kushner, navigated troubling pasts to gain access to top-secret information. Nilsen highlights the ongoing investigations by Democrats into these practices and their potential implications for national security. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by Congress in obtaining documentation and the scrutiny surrounding foreign connections, particularly regarding Trump's dealings with Russia.
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Michael Flynn's Security Clearance
- Michael Flynn, Trump's former national security advisor, was forced to leave due to lying to VP Pence.
- Despite this, Trump chose not to revoke Flynn's top secret security clearance, an unusual move.
Rob Porter's Interim Clearance
- Rob Porter, a staff secretary, worked with an interim clearance while handling sensitive files.
- This raised concerns, especially after his ex-wives accused him of domestic abuse.
Jared Kushner's Clearance Controversy
- Jared Kushner's top secret security clearance was initially rejected, but later approved by Trump.
- This happened despite concerns about Kushner's business ties and foreign contacts.