Washington: A second White House staffer in a week has resigned over domestic abuse claims, in a widening scandal that called into question the President’s judgment and tainted his chief of staff John Kelly and longtime aide Hope Hicks.
Hours after Trump’s comments about staff secretary Rob Porter, a White House speech-writer, David Sorensen, on Friday resigned after his wife said he was abusive, claims he denies.
Porter — who also denies abuse alleged by two ex-wives, one of whom released a photo of herself with a black eye — worked at the heart of the White House throughout the first year of Trump’s administration, despite being denied a full security clearance.
He only stepped down from his post on Wednesday after the accusations became public. Trump, who has himself been accused of sexual harassment or assault by two dozen women, fueled the scandal by praising Porter and suggesting he had a bright future. He made no mention of the ex-wives or the alleged domestic abuse.
“We certainly wish him well, and it’s a tough time for him,” Mr Trump said in the Oval Office. “He did a very good job when he was in the White House. And we hope he has a wonderful career and he will have a great career ahead of him.”
