Trump Aide Maintains Abuse Allegations Are False But Resigns Anyway

Time and again President Donald Trump’s staffers continue to fall. Some resign under mysterious circumstances and others, well, not so much. In the case of White House staff secretary Rob Porter, a top aide to Trump, you can file it under not so much.

Porter was accused by both of his ex-wives of some pretty heinous spousal abuse while they were married to him. He says that the allegations are entirely false, of course. Porter said:

“These outrageous allegations are simply false. I have been transparent and truthful about these vile claims, but I will not further engage publicly with a coordinated smear campaign.”

He vehemently denies the allegations. However, he is certainly resigning his post without any fight whatsoever. There are even those at the White House who are begging him to stay on.

JOHN KELLY WANTS HIM TO STAY

A White House official said that Chief of Staff John Kelly and others at the White House objected to Porter’s resignation. Kelly said:

“Rob Porter is a man of true integrity and honor and I can’t say enough good things about him. He is a friend, a confidante and a trusted professional. I am proud to serve alongside him.”

Kelly doesn’t speak for everyone, however. Porter used to be Senator Orrin Hatch’s chief of staff. Originally, Hatch came out in support of his former employee. He called the attacks on Porter “vile” and a “cynical campaign to discredit his character.”

Once new reporting of the facts arose and Porter announced his resignation, Hatch pulled back. He issued a whole new statement today that said everything in the previous statement no longer applied.

“I am heartbroken by today’s allegations. In every interaction I’ve had with Rob, he has been courteous, professional and respectful. My staff loved him and he was a trusted adviser. I do not know the details of Rob’s personal life. Domestic violence in any form is abhorrent. I am praying for Rob and those involved,” Hatch said in his new statement.

HIS JOB

Porter joined the White House at the same time that Trump took office. He wasn’t well-known to Trump like the other staffers until someone explained to Trump that Porter was the one in charge of the documents (or picture books, as we all know Trump prefers those) that come across his desk.

Porter stayed under-the-radar at first but once Trump learned of his education level and grew sufficiently impressed with the Harvard graduate and Rhodes scholar’s credentials he has had an increased role at the White House. This included acting as a bridge between warring factions in the Oval Office.

There is no date set for when he will leave his post officially. The former secretary plans to stay on long enough to train his replacement.


Feature Image via YouTube Video