White House chief of staff John Kelly said late Wednesday that he was “shocked” by domestic abuse allegations against staff secretary Rob Porter — more than 24 hours after being quoted on the record defending Porter in an initial report.

“I was shocked by the new allegations released today against Rob Porter. There is no place for domestic violence in our society,” Kelly said in a statement issued after-hours by the White House.


Kelly continued, “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. I accepted his resignation earlier today, and will ensure a swift and orderly transition.”

The statement followed the publication of photographs showing Porter’s first wife with a black eye, which she told the Daily Mail was the result of Porter punching her.

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A senior administration official told POLITICO earlier Wednesday that Kelly and other top White House officials were aware of the allegations, including the 2010 protective order, weeks and in some cases months before they were made public.

The allegations held up Porter’s application for a security clearance, the official said, adding that Porter had been working with an interim clearance. Both of his ex-wives reportedly told the FBI about their experiences with Porter.

In recent weeks, an ex-girlfriend of Porter’s — who also works in the Trump administration — contacted White House counsel Don McGahn and voiced her distress after discovering evidence of a romantic relationship between Porter and White House communications director Hope Hicks, according to two administration officials.

She also alleged that he had abused his two ex-wives.

It is unclear what McGahn did with the information he received, or whether he viewed it as a violation of White House rules and procedures. McGahn did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Kelly defended Porter both on Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon. He issued a statement praising Porter to the Daily Mail in response to a story in which Jennifer Willoughby, one of Porter’s ex-wives, said he was verbally abusive and, in 2010, pulled her out of the shower by the shoulders to yell at her. The Daily Mail also published a copy of a protective order obtained by Willoughby in 2010.

“Rob Porter is a man of true integrity and honor, and I can’t say enough good things about him. He is a friend, a confidante and a trusted professional,” Kelly told the paper. “I am proud to serve alongside him.”

Kelly issued the same statement again on Wednesday afternoon after Porter announced he would resign. By that time, the Daily Mail and the Intercept had published articles featuring interviews with Porter’s other ex-wife, Colbie Holderness, in which she alleges he physically abused her and punched her in the face. The articles included photographs of bruising around Holderness’ eye.

Kelly issued his after-hours statement at 9:31 p.m. Wednesday, hours after the photographs were published.

