BBC Online :
One of US President Donald Trump’s top aides has resigned amid abuse claims from his two ex-wives.
White House staff secretary Rob Porter said “these outrageous allegations are simply false” as he announced he would step down. The accusations were first reported in the Daily Mail and include accounts of physical and emotional abuse. The White House would not comment on a report that Mr Porter, 40, failed to receive security clearance. His ex-wives, Colbie Holderness and Jennifer Willoughby, both recounted stories of Mr Porter’s alleged misconduct. His first spouse, Ms Holderness, said the White House aide had been verbally and physically abusive. Ms Holderness, a US government analyst, said Mr Porter had kicked her on their 2003 honeymoon in the Canary Islands. She also alleged he punched her in the face while they were on holiday a couple of years later in Florence, Italy. Ms Holderness supplied a photo of herself with a black eye to the media.
Ms Willoughby, a motivational speaker, told the Daily Mail she was married to Mr Porter from 2009-13.
She wrote about her experiences in a blog post entitled Why I Stayed. Rob Porter was a squeaky-clean aide who made sure that papers landing on the president’s desk were in order. The White House staff secretary also helped the president follow protocol. At one event in the East Room, for example,
Mr Porter stood in the back of the room and gestured to the president, showing him where he was supposed to go in order to sign documents. Mr Porter’s decision to resign – and the allegations against him – have shocked those who know him. She said she filed a protective order against him in June 2010 after he allegedly punched the glass of the door at their Alexandria, Virginia, home. Ms Willoughby told the Washington Post on Wednesday: “He has never faced repercussions that forced him to confront his issues. “I care about him and want what’s best for him, but that doesn’t necessarily mean him keeping his job because he needs to face these underlying issues.”
Mr Porter rejected the allegations in a statement read by the White House press secretary on Wednesday.
One of US President Donald Trump’s top aides has resigned amid abuse claims from his two ex-wives.
White House staff secretary Rob Porter said “these outrageous allegations are simply false” as he announced he would step down. The accusations were first reported in the Daily Mail and include accounts of physical and emotional abuse. The White House would not comment on a report that Mr Porter, 40, failed to receive security clearance. His ex-wives, Colbie Holderness and Jennifer Willoughby, both recounted stories of Mr Porter’s alleged misconduct. His first spouse, Ms Holderness, said the White House aide had been verbally and physically abusive. Ms Holderness, a US government analyst, said Mr Porter had kicked her on their 2003 honeymoon in the Canary Islands. She also alleged he punched her in the face while they were on holiday a couple of years later in Florence, Italy. Ms Holderness supplied a photo of herself with a black eye to the media.
Ms Willoughby, a motivational speaker, told the Daily Mail she was married to Mr Porter from 2009-13.
She wrote about her experiences in a blog post entitled Why I Stayed. Rob Porter was a squeaky-clean aide who made sure that papers landing on the president’s desk were in order. The White House staff secretary also helped the president follow protocol. At one event in the East Room, for example,
Mr Porter stood in the back of the room and gestured to the president, showing him where he was supposed to go in order to sign documents. Mr Porter’s decision to resign – and the allegations against him – have shocked those who know him. She said she filed a protective order against him in June 2010 after he allegedly punched the glass of the door at their Alexandria, Virginia, home. Ms Willoughby told the Washington Post on Wednesday: “He has never faced repercussions that forced him to confront his issues. “I care about him and want what’s best for him, but that doesn’t necessarily mean him keeping his job because he needs to face these underlying issues.”
Mr Porter rejected the allegations in a statement read by the White House press secretary on Wednesday.
