The second ex-wife of former White House aide Rob Porter said Thursday that she does not believe White House Chief of Staff John Kelly knew about the extent of the abuse when the allegations initially were made.
“I generally believe that chief of staff Kelly thought that it was lesser than it was and seeing those photographs, I wish that my interview would have been enough. but seeing those photographs sort of solidified this is an issue,” Jenny Willoughby said on CNN.
A photograph of Mr. Porter’s first wife, Colbie Holderness, with a black eye, which she said came from a fight with Mr. Porter, was publicly released this week along with the allegations of abuse.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation knew of the reports from Ms. Holderness and Ms. Willoughby, who both said there was physical and verbal abuse in their respective marriages to Mr. Porter, as the agency was conducting a review for his security clearance.
Mr. Kelly initially supported Mr. Porter against the allegations, but after the photo was released, he put out a second statement walking back his support.
Ms. Willoughby said Mr. Porter contacted her after the allegations were made public and asked her to “downplay” what happened during the relationship in a statement.
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“I went back and forth with him for an hour or so about what language I would be comfortable with, and ultimately, the language he asked for I wasn’t comfortable with,” she said on CNN.
Mr. Porter submitted his resignation this week.
• Sally Persons can be reached at spersons@washingtontimes.com.
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