White House aide resigns after spousal abuse allegations
WASHINGTON (AP) — One of US President Donald Trump’s top White House aides resigned Wednesday following allegations of domestic abuse leveled against him by his two exwives.
Staff Secretary Rob Porter said in a written statement that allegations that became public this week are “outrageous” and “simply false.”
Porter said photos published of his former spouses — in which one appears to have a black eye — were “given to the media nearly 15 years ago and the reality behind them is nowhere close to what is being described,” Porter added in a written statement.
“I have been transparent and truthful about these vile claims, but I will not further engage publicly with a coordinated smear campaign,” he said.
Porter said he will leave the White House after a transition period.
Porter’s former wives recounted physical, verbal and emotional abuse they say he subjected them to during their marriages.
Porter’s first wife, Colbie Holderness, told the DailyMail that Porter choked and punched her during the five years they were husband and wife.
Porter’s second wife, Jennifer Willoughby, also described for the DailyMail how Porter once dragged her naked and wet from the shower to yell at her.
She filed a protective order against him. Stories published online by the DailyMail included photos of Holderness with a bruised eye socket that she said she suffered after Porter punched her in the face while on vacation in Italy.
Neither Holderness nor Willoughby could be reached for comment Wednesday. Telephone messages left by The Associated Press were not returned.
Porter, 40, has been credited with working with White House chief of staff John Kelly to control the flow of information to the president.
His influence growing in recent months, Porter was often seen with Trump when the president traveled and as he signed legislation or proclamations.
He helped craft Trump’s wellreceived State of the Union address and was credited internally for helping bridge divides in a White House riven by rivalries and for helping more effectively roll out new policy.
The DailyMail published a statement from Kelly referring to Porter as a “man of true integrity and honor,” adding, “I can’t say enough good things about him.”