Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is one of many prospective White House staffers. He lacks a security clearance,and will require one, should he continue as a close advisor and aide to President-elect Trump.
Whether or not the security clearance will translate into a position within the Trump administration is a different story, as The Federal Anti-Nepotism Statute, aka “The Bobby Kennedy Law” must be traversed.
According to that law, “A public official may not appoint, employ, promote, advance, or advocate for appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement, in or to a civilian position in the agency in which he is serving or over which he exercises jurisdiction or control any individual who is a relative of the public official.’ Violators are “not entitled to pay.”as Time Magazine explains: “Legal experts are divided on how to apply this anti-nepotism statute. Some claim U.S. Code Title 3 gives Trump some leeway in tapping people — and possibly family members — to “serve at the pleasure of the president” on the White House staff, because the anti-nepotism law applies to federal agencies and not the White House. Others say Kushner could serve in the White House if he is not paid.“
It was, therefore, with great pleasure Christopher Burgess shared a few thoughts with the Voice of America for their articulate explainer on the mechanics and precedent of president-elect advisors being granted US government security clearances.
Read: VOA’s: How the Government Grants Security Clearances
Read: ClearanceJobs’: Should the Trump Children Get Security Clearances?