White House Chief of Staff John Kelly reportedly instructed White House officials to propagate a story about his reaction to credible domestic violence allegations against staff secretary Rob Porter that many say isn't true, The Washington Post reports. Kelly's version of events "contradicts both the public record and accounts from numerous other White House officials in recent days as the Porter drama unfolded," the Post adds.
Kelly hired Porter and apparently kept him on even after learning of the abuse allegations more than a month ago. In a statement Tuesday, Kelly went so far as to deny the accusations on Porter's behalf, saying: "Rob Porter is a man of true integrity and honor and I can't say enough good things about him … I am proud to serve alongside him."
Senior White House staff claim they were told to say that Kelly "took action to remove Porter within 40 minutes of learning that abuse allegations from two ex-wives were credible," The Washington Post reports. Kelly also allegedly told the staff "to convey to other White House aides that he cares about domestic violence."