The intelligence community is solely responsible for determining which presidential politicians get classified briefings, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said on Thursday.
Questions have arisen over whether some of Donald Trump’s comments should preclude him from having access, or whether the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s handling of sensitive information while serving as secretary of state should give pause to granting her access if they become their parties’ presidential nominees. Earnest said intelligence officials will make the call as to who sees what, and when.
“The decision about how and whether and when to brief to the presidential nominees is a decision that will be made by our intelligence professionals,” Earnest said. “The White House will not be interfering in the intelligence community decision” on what to provide candidates “in any way,” he added.
President Obama has “full confidence in [National Intelligence] Director [James] Clapper and the professionals in his office to carry out these responsibilities appropriately,” Earnest said.
Whether Obama thinks Trump should have access is an assessment “that will have to be made by the intelligence community,” Earnest dodged.
Traditionally, candidates begin getting national security briefings similar to those the president receives daily after having their nominee status confirmed at their respective party’s national convention.
“I would expect that would take place this year as well,” he said.
