WASHINGTON — House Oversight Chairman Jason Chaffetz wants to know more about the security measures at Mar-a-Lago, which President Trump calls the “Winter White House.”

The Utah Republican asked White House chief of staff Reince Priebus to describe the security protocols in place to protect sensitive information while the president is at the Palm Beach, Florida, resort that he owns and has visited two weekends in a row.

Chaffetz’s letter to Priebus, dated Tuesday, comes after news reports described a Saturday powwow between Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe after North Korea launched a missile. The leaders were at a terrace restaurant that was in full view – and earshot – of Mar-a-Lago members.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer reiterated Tuesday what he’d said earlier about Trump not receiving or reviewing any classified material at the dinner table.

House Speaker Paul Ryan said Tuesday that was also his understanding.

The Oversight leader wants to be briefed on whether security protocols were followed that weekend, what documents were reviewed in common areas and whether any classified information was discussed.

Chaffetz is also asking Priebus for an “explanation about whether and how the guests, employees, and residents at Mar-a-Lago are vetted in order to ensure that they are not foreign agents or spies on behalf of a foreign government” by Feb. 28.


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