Staff Secretary Rob Porter is the latest leader to step down amid #Me Too campaign pressure where women are stepping forward to exhibit their experiences with sexual and physical abuse accounts. The ordeal has exposed many sexual marauders amongst them House leaders like John Conyers and Senator Al Franken.
Rob Porter is one of President Donald Trump’s top White House aides whose work at the White House has been exemplified over his tenure. Porter is 40 years old and has been credited with working with Trump’s Chief of Staff John Kelly. They both worked on controlling the flow of information that got to the president. It is also acknowledged that his influence grew in the recent months as he was regularly seen with Trump on travels and signing of legislation. Porter also helped craft Trump’s spectacular State of the Union address and helped broker peace between White House rivalries. The Chief of staff described him as a man of true integrity and honor.
Allegations against Rob Porter
The allegations leveled against Porter came from his previous wives; Colbie Holderness the first wife and Jennifer Willoughby the second wife. Colbie informed The DailyMail.com, an online news agency that Porter choked and punched her during their first five years of their marriage. Jennifer, on the other hand, alleged that Porter once pulled her naked and wet from the shower just to yell at her. She was forced to file a protective order against Porter for his violent nature. The DailyMail.com ran the stories accompanied by Jennifer’s picture of a bruised eye socket which she claimed she acquired after Porter punched her in the face while on a vacation in Italy.
In a written statement, Rob Porter claimed that the allegations against him were outrageous and false. He claimed that the pictures were given to the media almost 15 years ago and the reality behind them was not being described as had happened. He added that he has been transparent and truthful on the allegations but chooses not to further publicly engage it to avoid a smear campaign.
Efforts to get comments from the two ex-wives, Colbie and Jennifer were considered futile as Associated Press reporters could not reach them by phone.
Rob Porter Loses Support
As soon as the photos were released, those who spoke highly of the White House employee changed their view on the matter. Chief of Staff, John Kelly on Wednesday stated that the new allegations against Porter swayed him. He added that he was shocked because there was no place for domestic violence in the American society.
