House Oversight Committee Probes Mar-a-Lago Security After North Korea Incident

The House Oversight Committee on Tuesday asked the White House for more information about security protocols at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club, following reports that he discussed sensitive information in a public area Saturday night.

Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appeared to discuss North Korea’s launch of an intermediate-range ballistic missile in full view of guests in Mar-a-Lago’s public dining room, according to social media posts and a report from CNN.

Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz, chairman of the oversight committee, requested more information about whether security protocols were followed during the incident, whether any classified information was discussed in public areas, and how guests and employees at Mar-a-Lago are vetted.

During a press briefing Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said there was no classified information present in the dining room and said Trump was briefed in a secure area before and after the dinner. But the incident raised questions about potential security risks at the club that has been dubbed “the Winter White House.”

“Nevertheless, discussions with foreign leaders regarding international missile tests, and documents used to support those discussions, are presumptively sensitive,” Chaffetz wrote in the letter, dated Feb. 14.

“While the President is always on duty, and cannot dictate the timing of when he needs to receive sensitive information about urgent matters, we hope the White House will cooperate in providing the Committee with additional information.”