President Trump wishes Rob Porter well after resignation



WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump says he hopes an aide who resigned this week in the wake of domestic abuse allegations has "a great career ahead of him."

President Trump tells reporters at a surprise appearance Friday that former White House Staff Secretary Rob Porter did "a very good job while he was in the White House" and adds: "We wish him well."

Porter has been accused of domestic abuse by two ex-wives and a former girlfriend. He has denied the charges.

President Trump tells reporters he was surprised by the abuse allegations and called the news "very sad."

President Trump is also stressing that Porter maintains he is innocent. He says: "I think you have to remember that."

Pressure is mounting on White House chief of staff John Kelly amid questions about his defense of a senior aide he fought to keep in a highly sensitive West Wing job despite accusations of spousal abuse from two ex-wives.

White House staff secretary Rob Porter, a member of President Donald Trump's inner circle and arguably Kelly's closest aide, cleaned out his desk on Thursday. But the aftershocks of his resignation continue amid concerns about his access to classified information.

Kelly himself faced criticism for initially defending his aide — only to later shift course after the publication of photos showing one of Porter's ex-wives with a black eye.