Trump's son-in-law no longer has access to secret intelligence reports

White House senior adviser Jared Kushner at a UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East situation. Photo: Reuters

The information was confirmed by two inside sources to Reuters news agency on February 27. Accordingly, Kushner's access to confidential information was suspended for several weeks.

Another source said Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein's recent notification to White House counsel Don McGahn led to a delay or halt in the review of Kushner's security clearance application.

However, the source did not disclose the content of the notice. It is unclear when and whether Kushner's access to the confidential report will be restored.

According to White House regulations, people who are allowed to read classified intelligence reports must have a permanent security clearance, while Mr. Kushner currently only has a temporary security clearance because he is still undergoing a background check by the FBI.

A White House spokesman for Kushner did not respond to phone calls or emails about the matter after questions from Reuters.

Attorney Abbe Lowell, who represents Kushner, said, "There are dozens of people in the same situation as Kushner and the process (for permanent security clearances) is being delayed. The length of time for a process like this is not normal. The current congestion is being handled and there is no question about Mr. Kushner's record."

The President's secret daily briefing is sent to a small group of highly important people. It includes intelligence analysis, information on CIA covert operations, and reports from highly sensitive sources or coordinated information from allied intelligence agencies.

Kushner is one of more than a dozen White House officials who have been granted only temporary security clearances due to ongoing FBI background check concerns.

Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump. Photo: Reuters

The White House has been under scrutiny over its security clearance issues and has been forced to review its practice of allowing people without permanent security clearances to access classified information after former White House secretary Rob Porter resigned amid allegations of abuse by his two ex-wives.

For more than a year, Porter continued to regularly review documents containing top-secret information despite not having a permanent security clearance.

The FBI must conduct background checks before issuing temporary or permanent security clearances.

Last week, the New York Times reported that Kushner's frustration and protests over losing access to classified information led to tensions with White House Chief of Staff John Kelly.

It is unclear why Kushner would want or need to see this information, according to The New York Times. Kushner's current responsibilities include mediating negotiations with Mexico, promoting peace talks between Israel and Palestine, engaging in economic dialogue with China and negotiating revisions to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

So Kushner doesn't seem to need to read intelligence or national security secrets.