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A White House aide who was barely known outside Washington a week ago is now becoming something of a headache for the White House
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Natalie Harp, one of President Trump's closest and most constant aides, is back in the spotlight after new reporting about her security clearance
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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
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Earlier this week, MSNOW reported that Harp repeatedly declined to complete the process for a routine security clearance for more than a year
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The outlet says she eventually finished the paperwork after concerns were raised inside the White House
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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
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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
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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
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saying the president would rather build his ballroom and travel with Natalie than do his job
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The remarks set off a response from the White House with the president referring to Ossoff as Pee Wee Herman
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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
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and had a little fun with the attention surrounding her own absence
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I heard you missed me. Here I am
