Natalie Harp letters to Trump surface as questions grow over her access to him

A White House aide who was barely known outside Washington a week ago is now becoming something of a headache for the White House

Natalie Harp, one of President Trump's closest and most constant aides, is back in the spotlight after new reporting about her security clearance

Harp is the president's executive assistant and is frequently at his side, traveling with him, handling information he sees, and helping with his social media posts

Earlier this week, MSNOW reported that Harp repeatedly declined to complete the process for a routine security clearance for more than a year

The outlet says she eventually finished the paperwork after concerns were raised inside the White House

She has since received a clearance. The White House is pushing back, though its response does not directly address whether Harp went without a clearance before receiving one

In a statement, Press Secretary Caroline Levitt said, quote, Natalie Harp has a security clearance like everyone else, and she is a loyal and hardworking member of President Trump's team

Harp's name was already getting attention this week after Democratic Senator John Ossoff of Georgia took shots at Trump during a campaign speech last weekend

saying the president would rather build his ballroom and travel with Natalie than do his job

The remarks set off a response from the White House with the president referring to Ossoff as Pee Wee Herman

and there's now been speculation about Harp's relationship with Trump. On Thursday, First Lady Melania Trump made her first public appearance in more than a month

and had a little fun with the attention surrounding her own absence

I heard you missed me. Here I am