A close White House aide to the president has just resigned after being accused by two ex-wives of abusing them years ago when they were married:
WASHINGTON POST – A senior White House official announced Wednesday he will resign following allegations by his two ex-wives of physical and emotional abuse.
The official, Rob Porter, served as the staff secretary and often controlled the paper flow to President Trump’s desk, along with his daily schedule. Porter also oversaw the White House’s policy implementation process and worked closely with Chief of Staff John F. Kelly to try to instill discipline in the chaotic West Wing. He often spent hours of the day with Trump and frequently traveled with him on Air Force One.
“These outrageous allegations are simply false. I took the photos given to the media nearly 15 years ago and the reality behind them is nowhere close to what is being described. I have been transparent and truthful about these vile claims, but I will not further engage publicly with a coordinated smear campaign,” Porter said in a statement. “My commitment to public service speaks for itself. I have always put duty to country first and treated others with respect. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have served in the Trump Administration and will seek to ensure a smooth transition when I leave the White House.”
The allegations against Porter by his ex-wives were first reported by the DailyMail.com, and senior West Wing aides spent part of Wednesday morning preparing for the fallout from his departure. Many senior officials, including Kelly, urged Porter to stay, according to White House advisers.
“He was verbally, emotionally and physically abusive, and that is why I left,” Colbie Holderness, his first wife, said in an interview with the DailyMail.com. His second wife said she filed and received an emergency protective order against Porter. The newspaper published what appeared to be a copy of the order, which included a Virginia magistrate’s signature.
The news site on Wednesday also posted pictures of Holderness with a bruised right eye, which she alleges was the result of Porter punching her during a trip to Florence in the early 2000s.
Porter told the DailyMail.com that many of the accusations were false but declined to comment further.
When the White House was asked why Trump, who believes Porter did nothing wrong, would then accept his resignation, Sarah Sanders simply said that it was a personal decision by Porter to resign:
JUST IN: White House Staff Secretary Rob Porter has resigned from his role. "It's a personal decision... one he made on his own," @PressSec says. https://t.co/kvwThSPcz8 pic.twitter.com/OEQTJGq0xW
— CBS News (@CBSNews) February 7, 2018