Trump denies intervening to allow Jared Kushner a security clearance

President Donald Trump on Thursday denied intervening to overrule White House staff who had sought to deny Jared Kushner a security clearance.

NBC News reported that White House staff had attempted to reject Kushner's clearance. Trump appointed Kushner, his son-in-law, to a position as senior White House advisor despite having never worked in government.

In an interview with The New York Timesfull of denials, Trump said that he was not involved.

"Mr. Trump also said he played no role in directing White House officials to arrange for Jared Kushner, his son-in-law and senior adviser, to receive a top-secret clearance," The Times reported. "Mr. Kushner’s application was rejected at least once after concerns were raised by the F.B.I. about his foreign contacts. The C.I.A., which also raised concerns, has continued to deny him access to 'sensitive compartmentalized information.'"

House Democrats have vowed to investigate the circumstances.

“The Committee on Oversight and Reform is launching an in-depth investigation of the security clearance process at the White House and Transition Team in response to grave breaches of national security at the highest levels of the Trump Administration,” Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD), committee chair, wrote in a letter to the White House.

Listen to excerpts of the interview: