Trump says he’s ‘totally opposed’ to domestic violence

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said Wednesday he’s “totally opposed” to domestic violence, giving his strongest statement on the matter since the scandal involving former White House staff secretary Rob Porter surfaced eight days ago.

“I am totally opposed to domestic violence of any kind. Everyone knows that, and it almost wouldn’t even have to be said,” he told reporters.

Trump’s comments came hours after the Republican chairman of the House Oversight Committee launched an investigation into how Porter was able to handle the most sensitive and classified documents to reach the president’s desk for more than a year — without a permanent security clearance.

Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., wants to know who in the White House knew about the allegations of domestic violence raised by Porter’s two ex-wives during a routine FBI background check last year.

Gowdy sent letters to White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and FBI Director Christopher Wray, asking for a complete timeline of the process.

The White House declined to discuss the House investigation, and delayed a daily press briefing three hours before canceling it because of the school shooting in Florida.

Trump’s own response to Porter’s resignation has been largely supportive of his former aide.

At least two other staffers have left the White House in the past week over security clearance issues. Speechwriter David Sorensen resigned last week amid domestic violence allegations, and economic adviser George David Banks told the Washington newsletter Politico his clearance was denied over past marijuana use.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said Wednesday that Gowdy was “doing his proper job” by looking into the process by which Porter was given an interim clearance.