Chief of staff John Kelly, who recently downgraded Jared Kushner's top security clearance, is reportedly wondering what exactly President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka and her husband do all day in the White House.
Kelly has been "angered" by what he sees as "freelancing" by the couple and blames them for changing the president's mind at the last minute, an anonymous White House official told the Associated Press in a report published Monday.
Kushner's security clearance downgrade, announced last week, bars him from accessing classified information presumably key to doing work in his broad portfolio, which includes forging peace in the Middle East and leading relations with China and Mexico.
The mercurial president, who prizes loyalty and family, could at some point move to re-establish Kushner and Ivanka's clout. But at the Gridiron Dinner he opted for a laugh:
— Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) March 5, 2018
“You know, we were late tonight because Jared could not get through security"https://t.co/JbeqCs94aN
Meanwhile, Ivanka has faced scrutiny for her own lack of permanent security clearance. When asked if the first daughter had the appropriate security clearance to brief South Korean President Moon Jae-in on her father's new North Korea sanctions last month, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin answered "she has the appropriate access," dodging the core of the question. Ivanka has also come under fire for her self-portrayal as an advocate for women and families in Washington, given the repeat sexual misconduct allegations against her father.
Kushner and Ivanka Trump have taken Kelly's security clearances crackdown as a direct shot at them, White House aides and outside advisers told AP. One White House official said otherwise, claiming that Kelly's work to bring order to the chaotic West Wing has allowed Kushner to focus on his duties.
The president's own stance on his daughter and son-in-law's service seems shaky. He encouraged the couple to keep serving in their senior White House adviser roles, but also privately asked Kelly to help move them out, The New York Times reported last Thursday.
A White House spokesman for the couple did not respond to a request for comment from Newsweek.
People close to the couple say they do not plan to leave Washington and return to New York, as the president has reportedly suggested they do to escape criticism from the public and media.
Kushner resigned as CEO of his family-owned real estate firm Kushner Companies, but questions loom on whether he is still involved in his business interest while doing foreign policy work. Ivanka stepped down from her leadership role at her eponymous clothing line but has continued to pursue her business endeavors, opening a shop at Trump Tower in December.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
A Los Angeles native, Jessica Kwong grew up speaking Spanish, Cantonese and English, in that order. Her journalism career started ... Read more
