Demoted: The temporary top security clearance for President Trump’s son-in-law and close adviser has been downgraded, depriving Jared Kushner of the most secret government information that might be required for him to carry out his assignments. For one thing, he will not be allowed to read the daily presidential security briefing unless Trump gives it to him.

Kushner has been unable to get full clearance after a year of being one of the President’s closest aides and getting expedited treatment for his background investigation. The Washington Post reports according to anonymous sources that officials of at least four foreign countries have discussed attempting to manipulate Kushner by taking advantage of his complex business arrangements, financial difficulties, and lack of foreign policy experience. The Post says the countries involved are the United Arab Emirates, China, Israel, and Mexico, according to current and former government officials. That obviously hinders Kushner’s role as the President’s point man in the Middle East and dealing with trade issues involving China and Mexico.

One of Kushner’s major complications is that he’s carrying $1.2 billion in debt after paying $1.8 billion for 666 Fifth Ave. in New York, the highest price ever paid for an office building.

Of course, there is also the possibility that he is a target in the special counsel’s investigation.

What Did You Know?: White House Communications Director Hope Hicks admitted to the House Intelligence Committee that she sometimes tells “white lies” to cover for President Trump, but insisted that she has not lied about anything material to the Russia investigation.

Hicks refused to answer questions about the Trump administration during a marathon of questioning yesterday before the House Intelligence Committee. The Washington Post reports that Hicks did agree to answer some questions about the transition period after the 2016 election.

Hicks declined to answer even though the White House has not exercised executive privilege about what Hicks knows. She was on the hot seat for nine hours. “No one’s asserting privilege; they’re following the orders of the White House not to answer certain questions,” said Illinois Democrat told reporters after the interview had been going for about four hours. “There’s no hope to get all our answers,” he added, admitting the accidental pun.

Follow the Money: Special Counsel Robert Mueller has been asking questions about President Trump’s business dealings with Russia before he declared himself a candidate for president. Three CNN reporters say, “Questions to some witnesses during wide-ranging interviews included the timing of Trump’s decision to seek the presidency, potentially compromising information the Russians may have had about him, and why efforts to brand a Trump Tower in Moscow fell through.”

Tweeter in Chief: After a couple of days of silence, President Trump was busy on Twitter yesterday, quoting supporters, touting his tax bill, trashing Hillary Clinton, denying collusion with the Russians and simply saying, “Witch Hunt!” You can assume there always something behind the President’s tweets, but it’s impossible to say what, other than that he’s upset about something. He’s got plenty to be upset about.

Cyber Defense: The head of the US Cyber Command, Adm. Michael S. Rogers, told a Senate committee yesterday that despite continuing attacks by Russia, President Trump has given him no new orders or authority to defend or strike back. He didn’t elaborate.

“We’re taking steps, but we’re probably not doing enough,” Rogers said in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee. He said that Russian President Vladimir Putin, “has clearly come to the conclusion that ‘there’s little price to pay here and therefore I can continue this activity.’”

“If we don’t change the dynamic here, this is going to continue,” Rogers said.

Nation: Eleven people were sickened yesterday when an envelope containing a suspicious powder was opened at a US Marine office building in Virginia. Three were taken to the hospital. The victims suffered nose bleeds, sore throats and burning sensations on their faces and hands. — The Governor of West Virginia announced a proposed 5 percent pay raise to end a four-day teacher strike. Teachers in West Virginia are some of the lowest paid in the country. — Dick’s Sporting Goods, a nationwide chain of stores, announced that it will stop selling assault rifles and high-capacity magazines and will require gun buyers to be 21 years old.

Who’s There?: In 2013, the panelists on the television show “Shark Tank” rejected the pitch by an inventor looking for financing for a video doorbell that would allow homeowners to use their smart phone to see who’s at the door. Jamie Siminoff, the founder and chief executive of Ring, managed to launch the company anyway. Yesterday Amazon bought it for $1 billion. Nobody ever said sharks are smart.

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