The Trump White House has had its share of screw-ups, but the Rob Porter mess is the worst yet. Because it’s entirely self-inflicted. There’s no way Donald Trump Donald John TrumpObama calls on Senate not to fill Ginsburg's vacancy until after election Planned Parenthood: 'The fate of our rights' depends on Ginsburg replacement Progressive group to spend M in ad campaign on Supreme Court vacancy MORE can blame this one on Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonWhat Senate Republicans have said about election-year Supreme Court vacancies Bipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death Trump carries on with rally, unaware of Ginsburg's death MORE, Senate Democrats or “fake news,” and he hasn’t even tried. The White House owns the Rob Porter scandal, and nobody looks good.

Not White House Counsel Don McGahn, who was first informed of domestic violence allegations against Porter in January 2017 and did nothing about it. For 13 months.

Not communications director Hope Hicks Hope Charlotte HicksSenate intel leaders said Trump associates may have presented misleading testimony during Russia probe: report Cuomo turned down Trump invitation to participate in April press briefing: report Trump shakes up White House communications team MORE, who was dating Porter and helped prepare the White House’s initial response defending Porter.

Certainly not President Donald Trump, who, even after Porter was fired, still defended him. “We hope that he will have a wonderful career,” Trump told reporters, adding: “He says he’s innocent, and I think you have to remember that.” Which is the same excuse he used to defend Roy Moore Roy Stewart MooreVulnerable Senate Democrat urges unity: 'Not about what side of the aisle we're on' Sessions hits back at Trump days ahead of Alabama Senate runoff Judge allows Roy Moore lawsuit over Sacha Baron Cohen prank to proceed MORE — and himself.

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But Trump didn’t stop there. Having accused all 20 women who’ve accused him of sexual abuse of lying, he suggested Porter’s ex-wives may be lying, too. “People’s lives are being shattered and destroyed by a mere allegation,” Trump tweeted. “There is no recovery for someone falsely accused – life and career are gone. Is there no such thing any longer as Due Process?”

How ironic that someone who has denied due process to his women accusers should now champion it for an accused wife-beater. Not to mention that the testimony of two ex-wives and an ex-girlfriend, the photo of a black eye, plus an FBI investigation and a police report are more than a “mere allegation.”

But the one who looks worst of all is chief of staff John Kelly John Francis KellyMORE, who at first defended Porter — twice! — and urged him to “stay and fight.” Then, after finally forcing Porter out, lied to reporters and White House staff about when he learned the truth about Porter and how soon he acted. This is not the first time he’s turned a blind eye to sexual abuse. The New York Times reports that in 2016, Kelly appeared as a character witness in the court-martial of a Marine colonel accused of sexually harassing two female soldiers. Kelly praised the colonel as a “superb Marine officer.”

In his short six months in the White House, Kelly’s already demonstrated that a general’s uniform alone does not necessarily qualify him for chief of staff. This isn’t the first time he’s screwed up royally. He lied about Rep. Frederica Wilson Frederica Patricia WilsonHarris calls it 'outrageous' Trump downplayed coronavirus House passes bill establishing commission to study racial disparities affecting Black men, boys Florida county official apologizes for social media post invoking Hitler MORE (D-Fla.). He praised Robert E. Lee. He claimed there would have been no civil war if people had only compromised on slavery. He contradicted Donald Trump on the wall. He called those who did not apply for deportation protection through Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals “lazy.” And now he’s defended a man denied a security clearance because he was accused of beating up two ex-wives.

And yet, for all that, John Kelly is still on the job. Why? The man who was called in to calm things down in the White House has only stirred things up worse. It’s time for John Kelly to go.



Press is host of “The Bill Press Show” on Free Speech TV and author of “Buyer’s Remorse: How Obama Let Progressives Down.”