WASHINGTON (AP) – White House Chief of Staff John Kelly said a senior aide’s resignation came within an hour of learning about new accusations of spousal abuse.
Kelly told reporters he learned Tuesday night that staff secretary Rob Porter, the chief of staff’s right-hand man, had allegedly abused two ex-wives.
Kelly said, “Forty minutes later he was gone.”
The White House announced Wednesday that Porter had resigned. That same day, it issued a statement from Kelly praising Porter.
Kelly’s handling of the Porter matter has cast a harsh spotlight on the chief of staff, who has recently drawn the ire of President Donald Trump.
But a White House official said Friday that Kelly has not offered his resignation.
Porter has denied the allegations and blamed a “smear campaign” against him.
President Donald Trump weighed in Friday and told reporters he hopes Porter has “a great career ahead of him.” He praised Porter and said he did “a very good job while he was in the White House.”
Trump is also stressing that Porter maintains he is innocent: “I think you have to remember that,” he said.
Reports circulated that the way Porter situation was handled caused tension between President Trump and Kelly. On Friday, ABC News reported that a source claimed that Kelly offered his resignation.
The White House issued a statement that said that Kelly had not offered to resign.
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