Watchdog can’t review White House security clearances unless Trump asks

The watchdog of the US intelligence community said he can’t act on a request from Democratic senators to look into the White House giving security clearances for Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner unless President Trump signs off first, according to a report.

Inspector General Michael Atkinson wrote four senators that he would be glad to launch an investigation but only if Trump asks him, NBC News reported Wednesday evening.
“The authority over access to classified information ultimately rests with the President of the United States,” Atkinson wrote to the foursome: Sens. Mark Warner of Virginia, Dianne Feinstein of California, Bob Menendez of New Jersey and Jack Reed of Rhode Island.

“It is well-established that the President of the United States has broad latitude concerning the process through which security clearances are granted, transferred, or revoked, as well as broad flexibility in determining whom to choose as his advisors and to what extent those advisors may gain access to information, including national security information,” he said in the letter obtained by NBC News.

Atkinson said his department is “available and willing” to begin the review “at the request of the President o​r​ his designees.”
The four senators then sent Trump a letter​ dated Wednesday​ raising concerns about the eligibility of some White House staffers to have “access to classified information.”

Their letter also questions whether the White House overruled recommendations by career security professionals not to grant the clearances in about 30 cases, including to Ivanka Trump and Kushner.

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