- During a Sunday rally, Ossoff said that Trump, 80, would rather fly in his Qatari jumbo jet with a 35-year-old assistant than serve the U.S.
- The insinuation, that the president is engaging in a Monica Lewinsky-type affair, angered White House staffers and boosted Ossoff's standing among beaten-down Democrats.
- The senator's response to the administration's animosity: “The truth hurts.”
- In response, the White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said in a statement: “Natalie Harp has a security clearance like everyone else, and she is a loyal and hardworking member of President Trump’s team.”
- Communications Director Steven Cheung referred to the senator as “Jon Jackoff” and called him the “biggest cuck loser in politics” on Monday.
- Former officials and ethics lawyers criticized the handling of Harp's clearance, with some noting parallels to Jared Kushner's clearance in Trump's first term.
- A former White House ethics tsar said: “It is shocking that an aide who has potential exposure to the nation’s most sensitive secrets reportedly went without a security clearance for so long.”
- David Axelrod, who was chief strategist and senior adviser to Barack Obama, posted on X: “If this story is true, and the person closest to the @POTUS and his thinking on a daily basis has no security clearance and refuses to submit to the process of getting it, it’s a deadly serious issue.”
- A former chief ethics lawyer for George W Bush noted that all White House staff usually undergo a background investigation, but only some require additional security clearance, depending on their access to classified information.
- Harp filled out the paperwork for a federal background investigation and was belatedly granted clearance after Trump himself became involved.
Natalie Harp, an executive assistant to Donald Trump, is facing scrutiny for reportedly working at the White House for a year without a security clearance. Sources indicate she delayed filing necessary paperwork until the White House counsel intervened, raising concerns about national security.110
A former White House ethics tsar remarked, “It is shocking that an aide who has potential exposure to the nation’s most sensitive secrets reportedly went without a security clearance for so long.” Critics argue this reflects a troubling trend of lax security protocols under Trump, with David Axelrod stating, “If this story is true... it’s a deadly serious issue.”78
In a related political context, Senator Jon Ossoff has criticized Trump, insinuating that the president prioritizes personal relationships over his duties, stating, “The truth hurts.” This comment, made during a rally, has drawn ire from White House staff, who feel it undermines their work.3
Communications Director Steven Cheung responded to Ossoff's remarks by labeling him as the “biggest cuck loser in politics,” further escalating tensions between the senator and the White House. The ongoing controversy surrounding Harp's security clearance and Ossoff's comments highlight the contentious atmosphere within the Trump administration.
“White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Harp, saying she has a security clearance like everyone else, while former ethics officials called the delay 'shocking' and 'outrageous.' Ossoff's remarks, which insinuated a Monica Lewinsky-type affair, angered White House staffers and boosted his standing among Democrats.”
The Guardian
WSET
