The Shadow Advisor: A Threat to National Security?

Natalie Harp, a devoted Trump aide, has been at the president’s side for years, often accompanying him on high-stakes trips abroad and playing a key role in crafting his social media posts. However, she worked without proper security clearance for over a year, raising questions about the handling of sensitive information.

Critics argue that Harp’s prolonged absence of clearance was not just an oversight but a deliberate decision made by those closest to Trump. As Norm Eisen, a former White House ethics tsar, pointed out, treating access to confidences as a “casual job perk” is outrageous and unacceptable. This lack of accountability has been seen before, such as in Jared Kushner’s clearance debacle in the first term.

When individuals with no security clearance are granted proximity to classified information, they become conduits for sensitive intel to leak out. In an era where cyber threats and espionage are on the rise, this is a recipe for disaster. Former White House officials and ethics experts have noted that Harp’s lack of clearance was not just a minor mistake but a serious blunder with far-reaching implications.

Harp’s devotion to Trump has been well-documented – she’s often described as “the human printer” due to her ability to churn out favorable coverage for the president. However, this loyalty comes at a cost: in prioritizing her relationship with Trump over protocol, Harp may have inadvertently put national security at risk.

The issue here goes beyond just Natalie Harp or Donald Trump; it speaks to a broader pattern of behavior that has become all too familiar in this administration. As Rick Wilson, co-founder of the Lincoln Project, noted, “This is after all, a guy who meets with Putin without any aides and praises Kim Jong-un.” The implications are clear: when leaders like Trump prioritize personal relationships over national security, it sets a disturbing precedent for those around them to follow.

The White House has downplayed the severity of Harp’s clearance lapse, but this is not an isolated incident. It’s part of a larger trend where the lines between public service and personal loyalty are blurred. As we move forward, it’s crucial that we prioritize transparency and accountability within the White House. The stakes are too high to ignore the warning signs – anything less would be a dereliction of duty by those entrusted with protecting America’s interests.