Ivanka Trump Gets West Wing Office, Access to Classified Info

USA

U.S. President Donald Trump's oldest daughter now has an office in the West Wing of the White House and will have access to classified information, even though she is not a government employee.

Ivanka Trump's attorney, Jamie Gorlick, said she will not have an official title, but will abide by the ethics rules that apply to government workers. He said she will not be paid a government salary.

The White House did not respond to requests for comment about Ivanka Trump's role.

But a statement from Ivanka Trump said she will continue to offer her father "candid advice and counsel, as I have for my entire life."

She was an effective surrogate for her father on the campaign trail and has moved her young family to Washington. She has signaled plans to work on issues like maternity leave and child care.

Ivanka Trump has been a visible presence at the White House. Friday, she participated in a meeting on vocational training with the president and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

She joins husband Jared Kushner in the West Wing, the epicenter of executive government power, where he serves as a senior advisor.

Federal anti-nepotism laws prohibit relatives from being placed in government positions. But the Justice Department recently said the president's "special hiring authority" authorized him to appoint Kushner.

Gorlick said the Justice Department clarified the president could consult family members as private citizens, a role he maintained would be played by Ivanka Trump.

She continues to own her clothing and jewelry company but has turned over daily management to the company's president. She has also established a trust, managed by her husband's siblings, to provide additional oversight.

Gorlick said her company cannot make new deals with any foreign state and the trustees must confer with him over any new agreements. He said Ivanka Trump will be able to veto proposed business deals.

Ivanka Trump, 35, has relinquished her leadership role in the Trump Organization, from which she will receive fixed payments instead of a share of the profits.