Story highlights Kelly said the controversy was over-hyped

Schiff said Kushner's clearance should be under review

Washington (CNN) Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said Sunday that he was not troubled by Jared Kushner's reported attempts to establish a back-channel with Russia.

"It don't see the big deal" Kelly said on "Fox News Sunday."

Reports on Friday said that Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak told the Russian government in December that Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior aide, had requested a back-channel with Russia for Trump's team.

Kelly said he did not know if the reports were true, but added that he supports attempts to foster communication with Russia.

"Any channel of communication, back or otherwise, with a country like Russia is a good thing," Kelly said. "I doesn't bother me."

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