The White House on Monday defended the Trump administration’s handling of domestic abuse allegations against two staffers and said it takes the accusations “very seriously.”
“The president and the entire administration take domestic violence very seriously and believe all allegations need to be investigated thoroughly,” White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said. “Above all, the president supports victims of domestic violence and believes everyone should be treated fairly and with due process.”
Pressed on President Trump’s lauding Rob Porter after he
as a “hard worker” without mentioning the victims, Sanders said her boss believes all sides should be treated fairly.
“The president has been clear. The administration condemns domestic violence in all forms,” she repeated.
Asked why Trump didn’t say that in his remarks about the situation, Sanders said, “He literally dictated that statement to me.”
Porter – the White House staff secretary and a close aide to Chief of Staff John Kelly – resigned after his two ex-wives claimed he physically and emotionally abused them.
The claims were revealed on Tuesday amid questions that the White House was aware of the accusations for months because Porter was unable to get a security clearance after an FBI background check uncovered a restraining order against him.
Sanders, asked about the risk Porter posed because he couldn’t get a security clearance and the possible leak of classified information, turned it back on the media.
“If you guys have real concerns about leaking out classified information, look around this room. You guys are the ones that publish classified information and put national security at risk. That doesn’t come from this White House?”
Another White House staffer, David Sorensen, a speechwriter, resigned on Friday after his ex-wife alleged domestic abuse against him.
