McMaster says 'not concerned' after Kushner back-channel reports


White House national security advisor H.R. McMaster speaks in the White House briefing room in Washington, U.S., May 16, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

TAORMINA, Italy (Reuters) - Asked about reports that Donald Trump's son-in-law had tried to set up a secret channel of communication with Russia before the president took office, U.S. National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster said that so-called "back-channeling" was normal.

McMaster declined to speak specifically about the case of Jared Kushner, who serves as a senior adviser to Trump, but when asked if it would concern him if someone in the administration tried to set up a back channel with the Russian embassy or the Kremlin, he replied "no".

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