Jared Kushner’s Meeting With Russians During Trump Transition Under FBI Scanner: Reports

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) diverted its attention to President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner in its investigation into the collusion between Russia and Trump’s associates during the 2016 presidential election, reports said Thursday. While Kushner is not the subject of the probe, investigators believe he has considerable information related to the inquiry, NBC News reported, citing U.S. officials.

Kushner is one of the influential advisers in the president’s team. He has been tasked with several responsibilities including leading a task force to reform the federal government and looking into criminal justice reform.

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Kushner’s meeting with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak and a Russian banking executive in December last year have come under scanner, the Washington Post reported. Sources told the Post that the meetings are being probed because of the 36-year-old’s extent and nature of interactions with Russians.

However, this does not mean the investigators are planning to charge Kushner or they suspect him of committing a crime, NBC News reported. Moreover, they have put him in a different category from former Trump aides Paul Manafort and Michael Flynn, who currently the subjects of the probe.

The development follows a Washington Post report May 19 that said authorities have identified a current White House official as a person of interest in the Russia probe. The identity of the person, however, was not revealed at the time.

The Senate Intelligence Committee was reported to be keen in interviewing Kushner in the Russia probe.

"Kushner previously volunteered to share with Congress what he knows about these meetings. He will do the same if he is contacted in connection with any other inquiry," Jamie Gorelick, Kushner's lawyer and a veteran of the Clinton-era Department of Justice, said in a statement, according to CBS News.

Kushner’s attorney said Thursday the Trump aide would cooperate in the investigation.

Meanwhile, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) has called for the suspension of Kushner’s security clearance.

“The FBI’s Russia investigation reached Trump’s backyard, and now it’s in his house,” DNC deputy communications director Adrienne Watson reportedly said. “Kushner’s security clearance should be suspended until the FBI’s findings are complete,” she added.

The Russia probe was initially led by ex-FBI director James Comey, who was fired by Trump May 9. The White House at the time said he was removed because of the way he handled the probe into Democrat Hillary Clinton’s email scandal. However, it was believed Comey was dismissed because he led Russia investigation.

So far, the probe has involved former Trump aides Michael Flynn and Paul Manafort. Reports on Kushner also come after Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointed former FBI Director Robert Mueller May 17 as special counsel to oversee the investigation.

Rosenstein released a statement following the appointment saying: “It is in the public interest for me to exercise my authorities and appoint a special counsel to assume responsibility for this matter. My decision is not a finding that crimes have been committed or that any prosecution is warranted. I have made no such determination.”