Jared Kushner Reportedly ‘Resisting’ Giving Up His High-Level Access in Struggle With John Kelly

White House senior adviser Jared Kushner is reportedly in a power struggle with chief of staff John Kelly, as he pushes back on requests to cut off his access to classified information.

The dispute, as reported by the New York Times, was instigated after questions regarding who should have access to classified documents were raised after the administration’s fiasco with ex-staff secretary and alleged domestic abuser Rob Porter. Kushner is one of the many officials in the White House currently working with interim security clearances, as the FBI has had background check problems with Donald Trump’s son-in-law and others.

With Kushner’s current level of clearance, he can obtain classed materials like intelligence briefings and other info designed for the president’s eyes.

Times reporters Julie Davis and Maggie Haberman report that Kelly’s issue with Kushner having access to such info is heightened due to the hit the chief of staff took after his botching of the Porter scandal. He has responded to the problem by sending out a recent memo in which he announced the removal of security clearances for those who did not properly pass the FBI’s background checks.

Kushner is “resisting” this request and is telling his White House allies that he insists on keeping his clearance status:

Mr. Kushner, frustrated about the security clearance issue and concerned that Mr. Kelly has targeted him personally with the directive, has told colleagues at the White House that he is reluctant to give up his high-level access, the officials said. In the talks, the officials say, Mr. Kushner has insisted that he maintain his current level of access, including the ability to review the daily intelligence briefing when he sees fit.

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