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Connolly Urges FBI to Investigate Kushner’s Alleged Leaks of Classified Information to Saudi Crown Prince

Today, Represenatvies Ted Lieu (D-CA), Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA), Don Beyer (D-VA), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), sent a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray urging him to look into reports that White House Senior Advisor Jared Kushner discussed highly classified information with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman during Kushner’s 2017 trip to Riyadh. Kushner is alleged to have revealed sensitive details of the U.S. intelligence community’s assessment of the loyalty of individual Saudi royals to the Crown Prince.

“We request the FBI open an immediate investigation to determine if these reports are accurate and to explore the extent to which information and sources may have been comprised,” the members wrote.

“As you know, the FBI is charged with ensuring the integrity of classified information in a number of ways, including by investigating unauthorized disclosures of classified information,” wrote the members. “Such an investigation of Mr. Kushner’s behavior falls well within the Bureau’s purview. You are no doubt aware that while the President has the authority to declassify and share information, the President’s advisors do not.”

The full text of the letter is below, and can be found here.

Dear Director Wray:

Thank you for your service. We write to call your attention to reports that Senior Advisor to the President Jared Kushner may have discussed highly classified information found in the President’s Daily Brief (PDB) with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. Mr. Kushner allegedly revealed which Saudi royals the U.S. intelligence community deemed to be loyal to the Crown Prince during Mr. Kushner’s unannounced visit to Riyadh last year. If these disturbing reports are true, Jared Kushner likely leaked classified information to a foreign power, a federal crime under 18 U.S. Code 798. We request the FBI open an immediate investigation to determine if these reports are accurate and to explore the extent to which information and sources may have been comprised.

As you know, the FBI is charged with ensuring the integrity of classified information in a number of ways, including by investigating unauthorized disclosures of classified information. Such an investigation of Mr. Kushner’s behavior falls well within the Bureau’s purview. You are no doubt aware that while the President has the authority to declassify and share information, the President’s advisors do not.

Jared Kushner reportedly lost access to the PDB earlier this year when more stringent security clearance rules were implemented at the behest of White House Chief of Staff John Kelly. In a memo, Mr. Kelly wrote, “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...” Contrary to this sentiment, reports indicate that – while he still had a clearance – Mr. Kushner disclosed to the Saudi Crown Prince information that prompted the Prince to boast to UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed that Mr. Kushner was "in his pocket."

We urge the Department to investigate these allegations, and we appreciate your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

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