Kelly’s Responses Have Been All Over the Map
Trump White House Chief of Staff John Kelly is willing to resign over the Rob Porter scandal – not, apparently, over having not fired a credibly accused domestic abuser, but over the mishandling of the ensuing scandal once reported in the press.
Kelly “told officials in the West Wing on Friday that he was willing to step down over his handling of allegations of spousal abuse against Rob Porter, the staff secretary who resigned in disgrace this week over the accusations, according to two officials aware of the discussions,” The New York Times reports late Friday afternoon.
ABC News confirms, adding more details.
“Kelly has made clear to the president in the last 24 hours that he’s willing to resign in light of the president’s dissatisfaction over the West Wing’s handling of the allegations against former Staff Secretary Rob Porter, according to sources who have spoken with Trump and Kelly.”
Kelly is not expected to resign any time soon, and Kelly has not offered his resignation.
“Some complained that Donald F. McGahn II, the White House counsel, who learned last January that Mr. Porter had been accused by two ex-wives of abuse, had not been forthcoming enough about what he knew,” the Times notes. “Others faulted Hope Hicks, the communications director, who had been romantically involved with Mr. Porter, for soliciting defenses of him when the accusations became public.”
Earlier Friday President Trump commented on the scandal, defending Porter by repeatedly saying he had done a good job, he hopes he has a great career, and reminding reporters that Porter denied the allegations he had abused his two ex-wives.
The Times reports the president has been “complaining privately about Mr. Kelly,” even before the Porter scandal.
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