White House Staff Secretary Rob Porter Resigns Amid Abuse Allegations

Porter's ex-wives claim he physically, mentally, and verbally abused them.

Staff Secretary Rob Porter
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WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 29: White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and Staff Secretary Rob Porter follow President Donald Trump as he walks to board Marine One to head to Missouri to push the Republican tax plan, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017. (Photo by Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Staff Secretary Rob Porter

Rob Porter, the White House secretary who regularly communicates with President Trump, has now resigned amid abuse allegations, CNN reports. Two of Porter's ex-wives have come forward to accuse him of physical violence.

Colbie Holderness (Porter's first wife) and Jennifer Willoughby (his second wife) both said his consistent abuse throughout thier marriages was the reason for their respective divorces. The news was first reported earlier this week on the Daily Mail, and the White House confirmed on Wednesday that Porter has exited.

Holderness, who is a senior analyst for the U.S. government, claimed her ex-husband physically, emotionally and mentally abused her. Porter allegedly once dragged her naked out of the shower and called her a "f-cking b-tch" on their honeymoon. During their vacation in Italy, he allegedly punched her. "We were arguing and he punched me in the face," Holderness said. "He left visible marks when he punched me and I have pictures of that. I didn't go the police because I was scared, I was in Italy alone and I didn't know what to do." The photos she provided display a black eye following the incident.

Porter has denied the allegations following his resignation. "These outrageous allegations are simply false," he said in a statement. “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." He continued, "I have been transparent and truthful about these vile claims, but I will not further engage publicly with a coordinated smear campaign."

White House Chief of Staff John Kelly defended Porter in a statement to CNN. "Rob Porter is a man of true integrity and honor and I can’t say enough good things about him,” Kelly said. "He is a friend, a confidante, and a trusted professional. I am proud to serve alongside him." 

Porter's last day at the White House has not yet been set, according to White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. She also did not disclose whether or not Trump has commented on the allegations. Seeing how he has bragged about grabbing women by the "pussy" and has been accused of sexual misconduct by over a dozen women himself, it will be interesting to see how he plans to move forward after this incident.

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