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Under fire, Kelly overhauls White House clearance procedure

Posted at 4:28 PM, Feb 16, 2018
and last updated 2018-02-16 16:28:39-05

WASHINGTON (AP) — Chief of staff John Kelly is ordering changes to the White House security clearance process after allegations against an ex-aide.

Kelly sent a memo Friday to top White House aides in which he proposed several changes. He acknowledged that the White House “must do better” in handing clearances.

The issue has been in the spotlight for two weeks since it was revealed that former staff secretary Rob Porter had an interim clearance that allowed him access to classified material despite allegations of spousal abuse from two ex-wives.

Kelly has come under fire since Porter’s resignation.

The chief of staff also called for the FBI and Justice Department to hand-deliver completed background checks to the White House counsel office.