THE CLOCK $TRIKES MIDNIGHT
WH: Don didn't know about aides's 'abuse'
The White House on Thursday said that President Trump learned of domestic-abuse allegations against Rob Porter only a day before the top aide resigned.
Speaking at a press briefing that was delayed for two hours and 42 minutes, deputy White House spokesman Raj Shah said the FBI’s background check had not been completed, and that Porter was serving as Chief of Staff John’s Kelly’s senior aide with only an interim security clearance.
Shah said Trump learned about the allegations made by Porter’s two ex-wives on Tuesday evening — but would not say when Kelly learned of them.
Shah also argued that the allegations had not been proven — suggesting that it would have been premature to can Porter until his background probe was complete.
“It’s important to remember that Rob Porter has repeatedly denied these allegations and done so publicly,” Shah said, adding that the incidents “took place long before he joined the White House.”
But, he admitted, “We all could have done better over the last few hours or last few days in dealing with this situation.”
Meanwhile, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle ripped Kelly following reports that he knew for months that Por- ter was an accused wife beater and did nothing about it.
Louisiana GOP Sen. John Kennedy said Kelly blew it by keeping Porter aboard so long as his staff secretary.
“If you want to serve the public, particularly as a member of a president’s staff, I don’t care who you are, you can’t beat the hell out of your spouse,” Kennedy said on CNN.
Hope Hicks, Trump’s communications director and Porter’s latest gal pal, helped draft a statement of support from Kelly, who hailed the accused wife abuser as a “man of true integrity and honor.”
But after a furious backlash slamming the former Marine general for his tone-deaf response, Kelly changed his tune and said he was shocked by the charges.
Shah said Kelly issued the stronger statement after seeing a photo of one of Porter’s ex-wives with a black eye.
Trump has not spoken publicly about the allegations, although Shah said the president found them troubling.
Porter’s ex-wives said they were subjected to physical, verbal and emotional abuse.
His first wife, Colbie Holderness, said Porter choked and punched her during their five years of marriage.
His second wife, Jennifer Willoughby, said Porter once dragged her naked from the shower to yell at her while they were on vacation.