White House staff secretary Rob Porter resigned Wednesday after his two ex-wives told the Daily Mail he had abused them.



Porter's ex-wives claim he was physically and emotionally abusive against them. His first wife, Colbie Holderness, alleged to the Daily Mail that he had punched her during a trip to Florence, Italy, in the early 2000s. The Daily Mail posted pictures of Holderness with a bruised face.

His second wife, Jennifer Willoughby, told the news site that she had obtained a temporary protective order against Porter after he allegedly violated their separation agreement.

Porter denied the allegations in a statement, calling them "simply false."

"These outrageous allegations are simply false," the statement issued Wednesday reads. "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. I have been transparent and truthful about these vile claims, but I will not further engage publicly with a coordinated smear campaign," he said.



“My commitment to public service speaks for itself. I have always put duty to country first and treated others with respect. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have served in the Trump Administration and will seek to ensure a smooth transition when I leave the White House.”

Holderness and Willoughby also detailed their allegations to CNN. Holderness alleged repeated physical abuse, including choking. The two former wives also shared with CNN messages from a woman who said she was Porter's girlfriend in 2016 and also alleged that she faced abuse.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirmed his resignation during Wednesday's press briefing, saying he will be leaving the White House soon but "it won't be immediate." She said the president and chief of staff John Kelly "have full confidence in his abilities and his performance."

In a second statement from Kelly released late Wednesday, the chief of staff said he was "shocked" by the allegations and condemned domestic violence, but said he stood by his earlier comments on Porter.

"I was shocked by the new allegations released today against Rob Porter," the statement read. "There is no place for domestic violence in our society. I stand by my previous comments of the Rob Porter that I have come to know since becoming Chief of Staff, and believe every individual deserves the right to defend their reputation."

Porter was among Trump's most influential aides in the White House. As staff secretary, he vetted everything that made it to the president's desk and often traveled with him on Air Force One and remained close to the president throughout the day.

"I accepted his resignation earlier today, and will ensure a swift and orderly transition," Kelly said in a statement.