Chief of staff John Kelly admits missteps with White House aides' clearances
WASHINGTON _ White House chief of staff John F. Kelly, under fire after a former staffer's domestic abuse scandal, has admitted that the Trump team mishandled aides' background investigations, and ordered new steps in how the West Wing handles security clearances.
In a five-page memo to staffers released Friday afternoon by the White House, Kelly alluded to the Rob Porter scandal but also attempted to spread the blame for a process he said was flawed but was one he inherited.
Porter, the White House staff secretary, resigned last week amid domestic abuse allegations from his two ex-wives. The White House disclosed that he handled classified information even though his security clearance background check had not yet been completed.
The matter has "focused immense attention on a clearance process that has been in place for multiple administrations," Kelly told White House aides. "The American people deserve a White House staff that meets the highest standards and that has been carefully vetted _ especially those who work closely with the president or handle sensitive national security information."
"We should _ and in the future, must _ do better," the retired Marine Corps general wrote.
Some Democratic lawmakers and women's advocacy groups have called for Kelly to step down over his handling of the Porter matter. Trump reportedly has asked friends about a replacement. Vice President Mike Pence, however, on Thursday said Kelly should keep his job.
Nevertheless, in a rare move for the president or any of his top aides, Kelly admitted missteps.
"But recent events have exposed some remaining shortcomings," he wrote. "My goal is to improve accountability while maintaining the critical objectivity necessary for the process to continue functioning without political interference."
_CQ Roll Call
