White House Chief of Staff John Kelly encouraged subordinates in a meeting Friday to spread the word that he had acted to remove Staff Secretary Rob Porter within 40 minutes of receiving evidence that allegations of spousal abuse against the aide were credible, a person familiar with the matter said.
But Kelly’s account ignores the fact that he stood by Porter even after the DailyMail.com, the U.S. website of a British tabloid, approached the White House with details of an interview with one of his ex-wives. Jennifer Willoughby. Kelly responded with a statement calling Porter “a man of true integrity and honor.”
