Democrats in Congress want to know if the security clearances of Jared Kushner, the son-in-law and senior adviser to President Donald Trump, and fired National Security Adviser Michael Flynn had been revoked. Their clearances are supposed to be suspended because they are under investigation for the Russia hacking.

Rep. Elijah Cummings sent a letter to Reince Preibus, the White House chief of staff, to request for documents as proof the White House followed procedures on the suspension of the clearances of Kushner and Flynn, Time reported. Kushner, despite the lack of experience in political negotiation or international diplomacy, is in Israel to attempt to broker peace between Palestine and Israel.

Father knows best

Besides being deployed by his father-in-law, Kushner could also try to use his father’s friendship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to achieve peace in the region. The 36-year-old real estate businessman is seen in a video shaking the hand and hugging the PM. Netanyahu said Kushner’s visit is a chance to pursue the common goal of security, peace, and prosperity, The New York Daily News reported.

In the letter to Priebus, the Democrats pointed out Kushner is under investigation by the FBI for meeting with Russian Ambassador to Washington Sergei Kislyak and the chief executive of a Russian bank that is included in the Washington-imposed sanction for the annexation by Russia of Crimea.

The Democrats said it is unclear why Kushner’s access to classified information has not been revoked even if the allegations against him are being investigated.

Unanswered queries

In May, the Department of Justice said the executive branch does not have to reply to requests from individual members of Congress who are not heads of committees.

Republican Rep. Trey Gowdy, the new head of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, did not sign the letter, but other House Democrats signed.

The inquiry about Kushner’s Security Clearance is the 260th of queries sent by congressmen to the White House which remain ignored, NPR noted. Charles Grassley, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and a known advocate of strong oversight said the policy of the Trump administration goes against basic principles of check-and-balance in government.

In the case of Flynn, who was fired by Trump for providing conflicting information about his phone calls to Kislyak, he kept his security clearance even if he is no longer a government employee. Sally Yates, the acting Attorney General, has expressed concerns to White House officials about Flynn’s contacts.