Feinstein Statement on White House Security Clearance Controversy

Washington—Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following statement after an interview summary was made public suggesting political interference in the granting of security clearances:

            “I’m very alarmed by the House Oversight and Reform Committee interview summary released this week that suggests in 25 instances, political appointees were granted clearances despite ‘serious disqualifying issues involving foreign influence, conflicts of interest concerning personal conduct, financial problems, drug use, and criminal conduct.’

            “This issue has serious national security implications. Politics should never play a role in determining who is fit to safeguard classified national security information. The testimony by Tricia Newbold, a nonpartisan career employee in the White House Personnel Security Office, is extremely troubling and demands further investigation.

            “I’ve asked the White House for additional information about this issue in the past but have yet to receive any of the information I requested. I hope the Trump administration will take this issue seriously and start responding to requests for information from both the Senate and the House as soon as possible.”