WH Climate Adviser Resigns After Past Pot Use Blocked Security Clearance

"A White House climate adviser resigned Wednesday after failing to receive a permanent security clearance, becoming the latest member of the Trump administration to leave amid scrutiny of the background checks of presidential advisers.

George David Banks, who was serving as a special assistant to the president for international energy and environmental policy, exited after learning from White House lawyers that he would not be granted the permanent clearance, according to two officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss personnel matters.

Banks, who, like a collection of other White House officials, had been working on an interim security clearance, told Politico that his application was denied after he admitted to smoking marijuana in 2013. “It was an honor to serve the president at the White House, and I look forward to supporting the president in the future,” he told the publication."

Juliet Eilperin and Brady Dennis report for the Washington Post February 14, 2018.