White House security specialist files whistleblower complaint after reports Kushner received special treatment

A White House security specialist is reportedly seeking whistleblower protection after questioning “unwarranted security clearances” granted to Trump administration personnel, including President Trump’s son-in-law and adviser, Jared Kushner, NBC News reported Wednesday. 

Tricia Newbold reportedly filed the whistleblower complaint after she was allegedly suspended without pay late last month for challenging her supervisor, Carl Kline. 

{mosads}According to the complaint obtained by NBC, Newbold reportedly raised concerns about an unidentified individual as early as July 2017. Sources familiar with the situation alleged that Kushner was the individual. 

Newbold alleged in the complaint that Kline “repeatedly mishandled security files and has approved unwarranted security clearances.”

According to the complaint, Newbold emailed Kline about “potential derogatory information” pertaining to the individual on July 18, 2017. Newbold allegedly wrote that the information could impact the person’s security clearance.

NBC noted that Kushner, at the time, had temporary security clearance while his FBI investigation was ongoing.

Newbold alleged that Kline broke with standard procedure by refusing to meet with the employee to discuss the information, which had reportedly been deemed “credible.”

She alleged that, after raising concerns about the individual a second time, Kline “advised I should ‘watch myself.’”

Kline reportedly overruled Newbold and another White House security specialist to approve top-secret clearance for Kushner and at least 30 other cases, sources told NBC. 

Newbold claimed that she has been retaliated against for voicing concerns about Kline’s “reckless security judgments.

Kline did not respond to NBC’s phone calls and texts requesting comment. The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.

— Updated 8:20 p.m.