Trump finally takes stand as GOPer probes ‘how in hell’ aide kept post

black eye emerged last week.

“I’m troubled by almost every aspect of this,” Gowdy told CNN. “How in the hell was he still employed?”

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Tuesday that a White House office manned with career bureaucrats had yet to sign off on Porter’s security clearance.

He was working with an interim clearance.

Several senior officials, including White House chief of staff John Kelly and counsel Don McGahn, were aware of the allegations against Porter for months, officials said.

Kelly found out after requesting an update on senior staffers operating without full security clearances, according to The Associated Press.

McGahn also informed Kelly last fall there was concern about the background investigation involving Porter’s ex-wives.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, asked Wednesday about how the White House has handled the Porter allegations, refused to comment on the way things have played out.

“Clearly, we all should be condemning domestic violence,” Ryan said. “And if a person who commits domestic violence gets in the government, then there’s a breakdown in the system. There’s a breakdown in the vetting system, and that breakdown needs to be addressed.”

Vice President Pence echoed other administration officials on Wednesday, admitting that the matter could have been dealt with better.

“This administration has no tolerance for domestic violence, nor should any American,” he said

“As I said, and as the White House has said, I think the White House could have handled this better. I still feel that way.”