Trump Aide Natalie Harp Got Security Clearance After 1 Year Without It
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Aug 20
Trump Aide Natalie Harp Got Security Clearance After 1 Year Without It
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Aug 20
Summary
A year-long lapse in Natalie Harp’s vetting drew fresh scrutiny after a report said Trump’s executive assistant worked in the White House without routine security clearance until she finally completed background-investigation paperwork.
MS Now said Harp had refused to file the required forms for unknown reasons, and that the issue was resolved only after the White House counsel’s office raised it and Trump became involved.
Karoline Leavitt said Harp now has a clearance, but former officials from both parties said her daily proximity to the president could have exposed her to classified discussions, including on Air Force One.
The episode revived comparisons with Trump’s first term, when Jared Kushner’s clearance was approved after Trump overruled intelligence concerns, reinforcing criticism that close loyalists get unusual flexibility on sensitive access.