TRUMP PEOPLE: “One of President Donald Trump’s top advisers, White House staff secretary Robert Porter, said Wednesday [2-7-18] that he has resigned his position amid allegations that he was abusive toward his ex-wives.
Mr. Porter denied many of the allegations, which were first reported by the Daily Mail, a British daily newspaper.
His sudden departure marks the exit of one of the most enduring and influential voices in the West Wing. As staff secretary, Mr. Porter was the gatekeeper of paper flowing in and out of the Oval Office, a particularly crucial position under Chief of Staff John Kelly, who has sought to limit access to Mr. Trump.
Mr. Kelly was among several senior aides who urged Mr. Porter not to resign and to fight the allegations, according to a White House official. Mr. Porter has worked closely in his job with Mr. Kelly and with White House Communications Director Hope Hicks, who is one of Mr. Trump’s longest serving aides.
Two news reports on Tuesday alleged that Mr. Porter had been abusive in his previous marriages. His second wife, Jennifer Willoughby, said in an interview with the Daily Mail that Mr. Porter had behaved in an ‘angry’ and ‘oppressive’ manner after they were married in 2009… Mr. Porter’s first wife, Colbie Holderness, told the Daily Mail, ‘He was verbally, emotionally and physically abusive and that is why I left.’… Ms. Holderness and Ms. Willoughby didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.”
-Michael C. Bender and Rebecca Ballhaus, “White House Aide Resigns Amid Abuse Allegations,” The Wall Street Journal online, Feb. 7, 2018 02:19pm