I tried to read the thread, but it devolved into name calling and insults, straying off topic as usual. So with that, I will try to shed some light on how I see it, based off my experience.
Having to amend a security clearance form is not uncommon at all. Leaving names off is not that uncommon at all. Mine had to be amended a few times, I had to add names, places. Currently holding a Secret from DOD, and a Q clearance from DOE (equivalent to a DOD Top Secret), with an
additional HRP I can attest that it is a very in-depth process. The way it works, is you fill out a very lengthy online form (e-Quip), that wants basically everything about you. Every residence from the last 10 years, criminal events, family tree information, etc. It does go on to ask many questions about "foreign agencies", such as selling or buying properties, donations, along with more. After you fill it out, it gets assigned to an OPM-FIS investigator. OPM does 90% of the Federal Governments background investigations. This person meets with you face to face. Mine had the form printed off, and we went over it point by point. It took 5 hours. She recorded it, and as well as wrote everything I said down. Couldn't use a laptop, had to be paper. I asked, forget why she said it was that way. She then went to meet my listed references, asked all sorts of questions. Then asked for three more people that they knew, that knew me. She had to outsource to another investigator because they were over a days drive away. They don't just call these people, they meet face to face. While all this is going on, they run the regular background checks, financial records, criminal records, etc. They try to find anything that was not listed.
Because I don't care to share personal parts because context matters, unlike many who tell nothing of themselves and instead just rain down insults trying to act high and mighty, an example of how I "left off names". My mother got remarried very late in life, he had three kids. These were now my brothers and sister. They live several states away, I had never had any contact with them. No text, no email, no phone call, no nothing. I still have not. I didn't add them on the security clearance form. It wanted their name, dob, address, phone number, etc for all immediate family members. I didn't think it really mattered, as I said, no contact ever with them. And honestly filling out that form was stressing, it goes into such depth it takes a very long time. Well it mattered, everything matters when going through this. So I had to meet up again with my investigator who was in charge of this, and explain it. Then she had to go back and check things out.
I had "lived" many different places in the ten years they wanted the time frame for. South Carolina, Alaska, Oregon, California, Virginia, Italy, Uganda, Rwanda, Nigeria, Senegal, Iraq, Afghanistan, and a few more. There can be no time gaps between places that you live. I couldn't remember every exact detail. She also wanted people who knew me from these places. Where exactly did I stay, who was with me, etc. I am not comparing my experience with Kushner, and don't imagine we travel in the same circles at all. I would imagine he met with many people of foreign nations, lived many places, has many distant family members. For him, I would imagine they are really looking at foreign contacts, and the relationship of them. They ask so many questions, often times the same question just in a different form. They look hard at finances. They are looking for anything that you can be blackmailed or otherwise compromised, to get information that you may be able to acquire from where you work or people you may know. My wife does not know what I do, she has a round about idea and that is it. She knows not to ask any questions, its just better for everyone that way. I do not tell friends. People have pissed others off, and they have gotten them into trouble and even losing their jobs by calling into their work making a statement about them. Even if someone calls in lying and claiming that they stole something from them, or did anything like that, they would have their clearance suspended immediately, and they could not work until there was an investigation. This has happened many times. Most times from a pissed off ex.
To clear up some ignorance and flat out false statements, he would not be "fired" or "arrested" for doing this. However, it could lead up to that. What would happen to us if they uncovered something that they found during the initial investigation, is they would continue to investigate it to its fullest. Not awarding the clearance until they are ok with everything. We have to go through a very abbreviated version every year involving a shrink visit, physical, etc, and then at 5 years anther lengthy one. If something is found after the clearance is granted, the clearance would be suspended. If that person was on site, they would be escorted off. If at home, they would be advised and they cannot get onto site. Their clearance is not revoked, just suspended. Until further investigation can be done. It could be for an arrest or speeding ticket that was not told about, a lien on property, divorce, adoption, whatever. They want to know everything and anything as soon as it happens. What may seem like nothing to most people, is something to them. It can be very annoying.
If we do not tell them about it, it can be an act of deception. The same as if leaving someone off the security clearance form. After an explanation, they will decide if it was a deliberate act of deception, or just a mistake. The one thing you absolutely cannot do, is lie to them. They will likely find out. If they catch you in a lie, you are done. I have seen many people here lose their jobs, to something so silly as a lie. Admitting you did something will get you into trouble, but most often not fired. Lying will get you fired, no buts about it.
Saying all that. if it where here, his clearance would be suspended. They would clear things up with him, track down these people, and go on. At that point, they would make the decision to reinstate or revoke his clearance. He could have very well left people off, to hide ties he didn't want known. He could have just not thought about it, or thought it was insignificant. His tree of people I would imagine is far greater than mine, people he knows, places he has been, etc. The whole idea that having to amend his security clearance is something to get fired or arrested for is just false though. What they could potentially find out digging further though, could lead up to that. That would depend on what, if anything was uncovered.
This is not an excuse for anything he has done, even though I have no doubts some will use it as that. Its a closer look at how it all works, and that amendments are not uncommon at all. 100 does seem pretty excessive though.
Since someone brought it up, Hillary should have absolutely gotten her TS suspended until the investigation was over. Talk about privilege.
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