The Human Printer’s Security Slip-Up: A Symptom of a Larger Problem

The White House’s latest security clearance scandal surrounding Natalie Harp, Trump’s executive assistant, has been met with shock and outrage from former officials and pundits. However, beneath the surface, this story reveals a disturbing pattern of behavior that threatens national security and raises questions about the accountability of those closest to the President.

Harp’s lack of security clearance for over a year is not just an oversight; it’s symptomatic of a larger problem. Norm Eisen, former White House ethics tsar, notes that treating access to sensitive information as a “casual job perk” is outrageous when it comes to national security. Harp’s refusal to file the necessary forms for her clearance suggests she may have been aware of the risk and chose not to take it seriously.

This incident is part of a disturbing trend in Trump’s administrations, where those closest to him are given preferential treatment when it comes to security clearances. The case of Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, who was granted clearance after the President overruled intelligence officials’ concerns, is a stark example of this.

Harp wields significant influence over Trump as his executive assistant, with access to him on a daily basis and involvement in tasks such as writing social media posts. Her loyalty to the President is unwavering, evident from her enthusiastic support for his policies and her tendency to accompany him on official trips.

Trump’s leadership style is called into question by this incident, particularly his willingness to let someone without clearance be in a sensitive position for so long. As Rick Wilson, co-founder of the Lincoln Project, noted, it’s “unsurprising” that Trump would let Harp have access to classified information given his own track record on security.

Harp’s prolonged presence at the President’s side raises questions about her role in the White House and her influence beyond official duties. Her involvement in decision-making processes is evident from her appearances in the White House ballroom, accompanying Trump on trips, and being part of the small group that accompanied him on a military aircraft in Turkey.

The incident highlights the lack of accountability within the administration. It took the White House counsel’s office and the President himself to intervene before Harp was granted clearance, raising questions about who is ultimately responsible for ensuring national security protocols are followed.

As the controversy surrounding Harp’s security clearance continues to unfold, it becomes clear that this incident is not an isolated one. Rather, it’s part of a larger pattern of behavior that threatens national security and undermines accountability within the administration. The American people deserve answers about how this happened and what will be done to prevent it in the future.

The Bigger Picture

The Harp controversy is just the latest example of the administration’s cavalier attitude towards national security protocols. From Trump’s meetings with Putin and Kim Jong-un, to his handling of classified information, there are many instances where he has prioritized personal relationships over national security. This raises questions about the long-term consequences of this behavior.

David Axelrod notes that if Harp was indeed without clearance for so long, it’s a “deadly serious issue.” The prospect of someone with access to classified information without proper vetting is a ticking time bomb waiting to go off.

A Lesson from History

The security clearance scandal surrounding Natalie Harp echoes Trump’s first term, when his son-in-law Jared Kushner was granted clearance after the President overruled intelligence officials’ concerns. This incident highlights a disturbing trend in Trump’s administrations where those closest to him are given preferential treatment when it comes to security clearances.

Accountability Now

The Harp controversy is just one example of many instances where Trump has prioritized personal relationships over national security protocols. It’s time for the administration to take responsibility for ensuring that those closest to the President are properly vetted before accessing sensitive information. Anything less would be a dereliction of duty and a betrayal of the public trust.

In the end, this incident is not just about Natalie Harp’s lack of security clearance; it’s about Trump’s leadership style and his ability to prioritize national security. The American people deserve better than an administration that treats access to sensitive information as a “casual job perk.”