Kushner finally granted full security clearance

WASHINGTON — Jared Kushner has received his full security clearance after more than a year of delay and controversy, removing a hurdle to his continued service as a key White House adviser to President Donald Trump, his father-in-law.

Kushner lost his access to top-secret intelligence in February, an embarrassing setback for a senior White House official who had become accustomed to highly classified briefings and working on sensitive international issues.

The downgrade came during a political firestorm over Rob Porter, Trump’s former staff secretary, who had kept his own job even though he was unable to get a permanent security clearance because of allegations he had physically abused his ex-wives.

Now Kushner has been returned to his previous high-level status — and according to his lawyer, on a permanent basis.

“His application was properly submitted, reviewed by career officials, and went through the normal process,” attorney Abbe Lowell said. “Having completed these processes, Mr. Kushner is looking forward to continuing the work the president has asked him to do.”

Kushner’s access to highly classified intelligence was a source of criticism because he repeatedly amended his disclosure reports, complicating the vetting process and raising questions about whether he was trying to hide some of his sprawling financial interests or contacts with Russians and other foreigners.

Mark Zaid, a lawyer who works on national security issues in Washington, called the permanent clearance a “significant achievement” for Kushner.

“I think it goes a long way to placing Kushner in the free and clear,” he said. “If I were him, I’d sigh a deep breath of relief.’”

Some suggested that Kushner’s status as the president’s son-in-law — he is married to Trump’s oldest daughter, Ivanka, who is also a White House adviser — smoothed his path.

“I don’t believe an ordinary citizen would have been able to get that clearance,” Rep. Ted Lieu, DCalif., said in an interview Wednesday.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment, but Lowell denied any outside interference. “There was nobody in the political process that had anything to do with” the security clearance, he told CNN.

Kushner has faced questioning from special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating whether anyone from Trump’s team conspired with Russians to influence the 2016 election. His lawyer said Kushner has fully cooperated with the prosecutors.

Kushner previously ran his family’s vast real estate empire, which is anchored by a Manhattan skyscraper but includes widespread holdings in apartment buildings.

He worked on his fatherin-law’s campaign and followed him into the White House, where he received a significant portfolio of responsibilities.