White House faces questions over security clearance for top Trump aide Natalie Harp
Former ethics tsar calls report that executive assistant to president worked for a year without clearance ‘shocking’
TL;DR
- Natalie Harp, executive assistant to President Trump, allegedly worked at the White House for a year without security clearance.
- Former officials and ethics experts expressed shock and concern over the reported lapse, calling it a potential national security risk.
- Harp reportedly refused to file paperwork for clearance until the White House counsel's office intervened and Trump became involved.
- The White House stated that Harp now has a security clearance and is a loyal member of Trump's team.
- Critics suggest this incident reflects a pattern of prioritizing loyalty over established protocols and national security.
- Concerns were also raised about Harp overhearing sensitive conversations, even if not directly involved in classified matters.
- The situation is compared to Jared Kushner's clearance during Trump's first term, which was granted after Trump's intervention.