Chris Christie, CNN's Chris Cuomo agree 'there's no way to defend' Trump on Kushner's security clearance


The House Intelligence and Oversight Committees are in the beginning stages of an investigation into how President Trump's White House handles security clearances. After The New York Times and The Washington Post reported Thursday evening that Trump had personally overruled intelligence officials and his staff to give Jared Kushner top-secret clearance, House Democrats focused on Kushner being Trump's son-in-law. "There is no nepotism exception for background investigations," Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) told the Post. Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) noted that Congress is watching.
On CNN Thursday night, former Gov. Chris Christie (R) was on the same page, telling Chris Cuomo this story highlights "the biggest problem with having family in official positions in the White House, because it's much harder to be objective." He and Cuomo agreed that the story is damning and likely accurate. "And again, Chris, it goes back to the familial relationship," Christie said. "It goes back to the idea that for any other staff member, I think the president would have a much easier time saying 'Listen, no, I'm not getting involved.'"
But Cuomo said focusing on the nepotism is "a step sideways from the actual problem," namely that Trump "has no problem lying to the American people about things he thinks he needs to." Christie said Trump really has a tendency to "lie about things that he hasn't needed to lie about — that's worse in many respects." He mentioned the Stormy Daniels hush-money payment. But regarding the Times report, "there's no way to defend" Trump's behavior, "and I'm not going to," Christie said, "and I have to assume its true because the White House didn't deny it, nor did Jared's lawyer." Watch below. Peter Weber
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Labubu: the 'creepy' dolls sparking brawls in the shops
Craze for the pint-sized soft toys has reached fever pitch among devotees
-
The top period dramas to stream now
The Week Recommends Heaving bosoms and billowing shirts are standard fare in these historical TV classics
-
Women need more pain management during gynecological procedures
Under the radar Pain should no longer be ignored
-
Law: The battle over birthright citizenship
Feature Trump shifts his focus to nationwide injunctions after federal judges block his attempt to end birthright citizenship
-
The threat to the NIH
Feature The Trump administration plans drastic cuts to medical research. What are the ramifications?
-
Courts try to check administration on deportations
Feature The Supreme Court will allow the Trump administration to end protected status for Venezuelans, but blocks deportations under the Alien Enemies Act
-
House GOP pushes ahead on deficit-boosting tax bill
Feature Republicans push a bill that will lock in Trump's tax cuts, cut Medicaid and add trillions to the national debt
-
'Gen Z has been priced out of a future, so we invest in the present'
instant opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Trump pardons Virginia sheriff convicted of bribery
speed read Former sheriff Scott Jenkins was sentenced to 10 years in prison on federal bribery and fraud charges
-
Germany lifts Kyiv missile limits as Trump, Putin spar
speed read Russia's biggest drone and missile attacks of the war prompted Trump to post that Putin 'has gone absolutely CRAZY!'
-
Donald Trump's foreign policy flip in the Middle East
Talking Point Surprise lifting of sanctions on Syria shows Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar are now effectively 'dictating US foreign policy'