White House senior adviser Jared Kushner listens as President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House. | Evan Vucci/AP Photo White House: Kushner's work status will not change

The White House said on Tuesday that the work status of Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, would not change because of upcoming changes to the security clearance process.

“I haven’t spoken to the president about whether or not that would be necessary, but again, as I said, Mr. Kushner’s work that he has done will not be impacted and he’s going to continue to do the work that he’s done over the last year,” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said during the daily briefing.


Though the White House imposed a ban on interim security clearances last year, nearly three dozen staffers, including Kushner, were still operating in the White House with such clearance.

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Chief of staff John Kelly unveiled a series of initiatives last Friday to improve the Trump administration’s security clearance process, which drew a backlash following staff secretary Rob Porter’s resignation amid allegations of domestic violence. Kelly said the administration “must do better” in vetting individuals who will be working closely with the president and sensitive security information.

Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), chairman of the House Oversight Committee, requested from the White House a list of all top aides who had interim security clearances. That appeal came after Gowdy launched an investigation into the White House’s handling of Porter’s situation to determine when the administration became aware of the abuse allegations.

