Jared Kushner, a senior adviser to his father-in law President Donald Trump, has had a roller coaster of a morning. First, he was named the head of a new "innovation" office, which would, theoretically, help infuse business ideas into government functions. Then news broke that the Senate Intelligence Committee wishes to question him about newly disclosed meetings he had with Russians during the transition period before the president-elect assumed office.
A former real estate and media executive, Kushner has found himself enveloped in Congress' investigation of Russian election interference and possible collusion with the Trump campaign. The 36-year-old had a role in the presidential campaign perhaps because of his marriage to Ivanka Trump. Sheer nepotism enabled Kushner to have the ear of the president, some say. Now he will lead the White House Office of American Innovation, a bureau of strategic consultants who will bring fresh, business thinking to the government, The Washington Post reported.
Before becoming a White House senior adviser, Kushner owned the New York Observer. Upon hearing of Kushner's new role, a former editor for the newspaper pointed out that he has the perfect experience for this role.
Kushner couldn't even properly revel in the news before it was revealed that Senate investigators want to question him over a previously unreported meeting he had held with the head of Russia's state-owned development bank — currently under U.S. sanctions. Senior White House officials were somewhat surprised when they learned of the meeting, but Kushner claimed the contents of their discussion was innocuous so he did not feel the need to disclose it.
In a statement to CNN, the White House said Kushner will make himself available for any questioning:
"Throughout the campaign and transition, Jared Kushner served as the official primary point of contact with foreign governments and officials. Given this role, he has volunteered to speak with Chairman [Richard] Burr's [Intelligence] Committee, but he has not yet received confirmation."
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