Trump says it's a 'tough time' for ex-aide accused of abuse

@ coltakashi:

Contrary to your understanding, many divorce records are NOT open to the public, unlike other court records. Porter's domestic violence history came up because he needed a security clearance to work at the White House. When that's the case, the FBI contacts many people who have known the applicant (professional colleagues, neighbors, ex-spouses) and asks questions about criminal history, reliability and temperament.

During the investigation, the FBI contacted Porter's ex-wives and verified their comments. The FBI provided this information to the White House, which sat on it for months. It was even considering giving Porter a promotion.

I'm not at all surprised that a man that says the kind of things Trump said on The Howard Stern show and on the Access Hollywood bus would feel sorry for Porter.

I am surprised that more people are not upset about the reckless disregard for our national security.

The FBI runs background and security checks and they give that information to the White House, but it is up to the White House to decide what they will do with that information.

Both the New York Times and the Washington Post have reported that Trump does not read the Presidential Daily Briefing - a daily report of the latest information gathered by our intelligence teams. Jared Kushner does. (Trump can't pay attention to the report - claiming it is too long).

The FBI has not completed Kushner's security checks yet, in part because of numerous "inaccuracies" on his forms.

It is not illegal for Trump to put his son-in-law in charge of reading his daily briefings - but doesn't it seem completely irresponsible and reckless to anyone else?

Kushner has no training or experience. His only qualification is that he's married to Ivanka.

The issue with Porter sheds light on a much larger problem.

Read @Koltakashi. Understand how enabling the abusers is rampant in American men.

Republicans, their Party, and all those who funded and supported Trump KNEW who and what he is. A Bad American. For power, money and influence, they willingly chose this man. The other Republican Primary Candidates whom Trump abused and falsely accused, as well as using filthy language and vile descriptions of their wives, chose to stand by him. Trump IS the Republican Party. No they will pay the moral price for that choice.

Just another person being given information without security clearance in this administration.

Remember Hillary used an unsecured server and republicans grabbed their pitchforks and torches.

coltakashi asked why the second wife didn't conduct interviews with the first wife, boyeeee talk about stretching ones imagination to protect a recored abuser, sad what Trump has made normal...for some.

Since his ex-wives divorced him, the circumstances should be in the court records. That is especially true because there was a protective order in the second divorce. How much information did each woman place into court?

Did his second wife not look into the circumstances of the first divorce, not talk to the first wife before getting married? Were there any children of the first marriage, which would require the new wife to meet the first wife when their father had visitation?

The protective order is a public record. What does it say? The law requires a hearing on the order, giving the other spouse an opportunity to contest it. Protective orders are given in ex parte applications, without the judge seeing anything except allegations. They are not judicial findings of fact based on hearing evidence.

I find it unlikely that the Secret Service would clear someone to work close to the president if they thought he presented a threat of violence. Since he was there for a year, what was the reason for an ex wife to go to the press now instead of a year ago? Was she trying to get more alimony and he refused?

It may be tough but the requirements with Standard Form 86 is easy to understand but if you have moved a lot and many financial and property holdings it will take time.

All questions on this form must be answered completely and truthfully in order that the Government may make the determinations described below on a complete record. Penalties for inaccurate or false statements are discussed below.

Withholding, misrepresenting, or falsifying information may affect your eligibility for access to classified information, eligibility for a sensitive position, or your ability to obtain or retain Federal or contract employment. In addition, withholding, misrepresenting, or falsifying information may affect your eligibility for physical and logical access to federally controlled facilities or information systems. Withholding, misrepresenting, or falsifying information may also negatively affect your employment prospects and job status, and the potential consequences include, but are not limited to, removal, debarment from Federal service, loss of eligibility for access to classified information, or prosecution.

Even a family owned business should understand the need for security.

Porter can’t be suffering too much, physically, mentally, emotionally as his ex-wives. He can’t show a picture of himself with bruises and police reports about any abuse to him.

He is a highly qualified and educated person that has studied and knows the laws of England and the United States of America. He knows the results of not being truthful with Flynn and Papadopoulos accepting a plea deal.

Truth is truth. However, with some, only the facts change.

Kelly took the most unstable job in the country.

It is always a tough time when you don't tell the truth. It will follow past your grave.

"If a person is innocent, they ought not resign."

If a person claims innocence yet, the accuser has written and visual proof..they ought to quit lying.

Question
What happened to "The well oiled machine that is my administration". Rather than a smooth running machine I would describe it as a greasy machine just limping along

"The story in national news includes the "cover up" of the abuse by LDS Bishops, who reportedly told one of his abused previous wives to consider how reporting abuse would affect his career!"

@I M LDS 2 - coverup? Hardly. I once had to bail my EQ President out of jail when he was arrested for like behavior with his family.... he ended up living with me and my family for a couple of weeks while he got things sorted out.

The destruction this kind of behavior has on families is unmeasurable. This chap was a hard worker in the trades, his reputation there was impeccable. But in hind sight, you could see where what drove him to do destructive things with his family also ended up doing likewise with his career. Someone who can't control their passions will have the same issues in other parts of their lives.

I am sure Porter could be a very diligent worker. Maybe he did get concealing and had resolved this daemon. We just don't know. But the fact that he still had failed to get security clearances a year later says there was still something there to this. Unfortunately for him it came out in a very public forum.

The morals and ethics of a person who might abuse (not just one, but) two wives must be called into question.

However, the larger question is the morality and ethics of anyone who would hire and praise such an individual, knowing that the accusations were credible.

This is what the good people of America want in the White House and in control of the government?

If a person is innocent, they ought not resign.

Hey Impartial:
As I said, we dont know what the Bishops told these adult women. Did they want to go to the police , want the bishop to talk to the husband, or simply asking for marriage counseling.

Broken marriages are a problem everywhere. I dont see the possible counsel of a Bishop to go your separate ways but try not to destroy each others lives by vindictive charges , as being out of line. I am sure he has seen enough of the other result.

@BYGardner
"Who should control Trump if Kelly goes? The constitution says that job belongs to congress."

No it does not.

There are three branches of the government.
•Legislative – Makes laws (Congress)
•Executive – Carries out laws (President, Vice President, Cabinet)
•Judicial – Evaluates laws (Supreme Court and other courts)

It was, at the time, probably a tough go for the ex wives, too.
Trump forgot to mention them.

One abuser's paean to another.

I don't know if there's a statute of limitations in Italy, or if the Italian government would seek to extradite Rob Porter, but since the assault on his first wife (confirmed by photos) occurred in Florence, wouldn't it be fitting for the Italian government to at least attempt to extradite him and place him on trial for this vicious attack? Hmmm, I wonder if an extradition order to a foreign country can be nullified if someone high up in the United States government...like the President..and if Trump would dare do so.

Kelly knew months ago when he didn't pass his background check. He only has an interim security clearance.

Who should control Trump if Kelly goes? The constitution says that job belongs to congress.

It is being widely reported that Kelly testified in defense of a Marine Corps colonel accused of sexual assault. He used almost exactly the same words about that guy as he used to defend Porter - good job, great reputation, ethical... etc.

Later the colonel in question was charged with 11 counts of sexual assault in a minor.

Kelly, defending an abuser, is nothing new and is not surprising.

Nor is it surprising that the usual suspects on here are defending him, either directly or with the tried-and-true "abuse is bad, but...." line.

Cadet Bone Spurs has a history of hiring people of low morals and poor character. Again, this is not a surprise because it is not new.

Hey Marxist, based on your posts, I'm surprised you refer to LDS as "our culture" since your comments on many different articles seem to bash the LDS church. Please. "Our culture" is not "rife with abuse," certainly not than other "cultures." My experience has been we're one of the least likely to tolerate abuse in all it's forms. I certainly feel that way and I find this guy's behavior repulsive, not just the abuse, but the multiple affairs, which is really a form of abuse. How sad and pathetic that someone so bright and capable would turn his back on what he knows is true and right, throw it in the trash and cause colladeral damage because of his wreckless choices.

The carelessness with which the security clearance issue was handled made me think of Comey's word, "reckless," which made me think, "Is there anything that Trump criticized others for that he hasn't been guilty of himself? Anything?!"

@ Marxist, re: your criticism of Hatch...

I honestly don't think he can do better. He's a reflection of his (bygone) era. His religious culture too, of course. I'd expect better of Kelly, though, just because he has been in the military and it's often the most progressive part of our culture. It just goes to show that some people don't adjust their beliefs to match reality even when they're charged with implementing reality! (IMO, the only thing progressive about Kelly is the manner in which his smallness has been revealed.)

The second wife did call the cops. She had a protective order placed against him like the officer told her to. That is why he never passed the security clearance from the FBI. The FBI even had the pictures of abuse from the first wife.

There is a lot that the second wife explained last night on TV. Please get a hold of that interview and listen to her. You will understand much more and she is totally believable. She was still trying to state only the truth, even though the interviewer was asking more explosive questions, she still calmly stated that he was a good man--not a monster but had this dark side. It was interesting.

Birds of a feather don't criticize one another.

Re: Marxist

"Third, protective orders aren't worth the paper they're written on. Any more questions?"

Truer words were never spoken. I had a neighbor who was murdered in her own home by and individual with a court order served on him!

Not to worry, our "Law and Order Party in office" surely will bring a bill to the floor to cover such abuse cases. Oh thats after they get through trashing the law and order offices of our Government!

First, I wish the best for this man, and hope he gets the help he needs.

Second, this White House doesn't care about abuse. (They only fired him after the black eye pic came out.) They knew about his problems way last fall, and chose to do nothing. Why?

Because the man at the top is himself an abuser, and supports abusers (Roy Moore was a child abuser, hung out with Epstein, etc. ) Trump has been credibly accused of sexual abuse, and is also an admitted sexual abuser. He is verbally abusive and derisive to people day in and day out. A man without moral authority. So, of course the White House didn't care that Porter was an abusive man.

Third, I lost my zest for Kelly when he refused to apologize for lying about an African American congresswoman, he said the cause of the civil was was lack of compromise, he is callous when it comes to immigrants, and now this. He knew Porter was a wife abuser. He didn't care.

It is easy to blame the victim if she didn't call the cops. However, even if these victims had called them, the laws limit what can be done. Also, verbal and emotional abuse don't leave visible marks but are just as harmful. Lastly, abusers often come across as controlled in public. Of course they are, because if they behaved at work like they do at home, they'd lose their jobs! The insensitivity of some comments here is disgusting.

@Flashback "If the dude is that big of a pig, why didn't anyone call the cops?"

A question I could have asked myself if I had not been exposed to abuse first hand. First, the women were AFRAID of him. Second, the cops usually don't do diddly. Third, protective orders aren't worth the paper they're written on. Any more questions?

The left is more desperate than ever since everything they created to destroy Trump including the FBI and DOJ has no effects.

The dude passed multiple background checks over the years. Obviously his ex-wives never reported him to the cops. Had they done so, he'd have never gotten a security clearance to work in the White House. So, why would Kelly know? Does he read minds? Same with Hatch and Lee.

If the dude is that big of a pig, why didn't anyone call the cops?

@BackTalk;
"Lots of criticism of what reportedly this mans LDS Bishops may have said. Remember, with publications like the Tribune, they are well known for not reporting the full truth about any story dealing with the LDS Church. I suspect that apply's to this story as well especially as it relates to the wife with the picture of a black eye.
As for the Bishops, they dont create these problems and are powerless to solve them for these woman. The only thing they can offer is advice."

Really? Clergy, even dentists given a bishop title, are urged go to law enforcement regarding violent abuse cases. Also, every major news outlet has picked up the story that her bishop tried to encourage her to keep quiet, yet not a blip from the D-News. Who is not reporting the full truth?

A scripture for the day (and everyday for the WH):
"If a ruler hearkens to [his own] lies, all his servants are wicked."
Proverbs 29:12

Let's not forget Rob Porter is a product of Orrin Hatch.

I remember well the hatchet job Hatch performed on Anita Hill, all because she had the guts to testify as to Clarence Thomas' abuse.

And the ignoring of abuse by Hatch.

And the ignoring by Hatch of Trump's sexual abuse.

It shows how lacking in integrity Hatch is.

It also raises serious questions about abuse in the Utah Mormon culture, as Hatch is viewed nationally as "Mr Mormon." I believe abuse to be rife in our culture, and it is brushed under the rug.

Lots of criticism of what reportedly this mans LDS Bishops may have said. Remember, with publications like the Tribune, they are well known for not reporting the full truth about any story dealing with the LDS Church. I suspect that apply's to this story as well especially as it relates to the wife with the picture of a black eye.

As for the Bishops, they dont create these problems and are powerless to solve them for these woman. The only thing they can offer is advice.

I fully expect that Mr Porter would have been told that spousal abuse is not acceptable. The Church certainly does not condone any type of domestic violence or abuse. Outside of that, what should they do, encourage the wife to get a divorce? Maybe but that info was not given.

After the woman decides what she will do, I can easily see a Bishop encouraging a woman to consider the effects of a Domestic violence accusation against the man that she loved and married when the charge might be more about yelling and control issues rather than physical violence. Of course, the critics want to paint them as supporting an abuser. I dont think that is accurate.

Some folks are like a leaf on a tree. They lean every which way the media wind blows without any thought of their own. Sad!

The Donald likes even bad PR if he is news cycle. Wait for the tweet.

@kolob1;
"So now this begs the question, Just how much did Mike Lee and Orrin Hatch really know about these domestic violence events ? Will we ever know the truth? No !!"

I'm betting a lot. Plus, you know how cozy Hatch and Trump are. According to Trump, Orrin says he's the "Best President-ever". I wouldn't be surprised if Hatch recommended Porter for the job.

I will admit this is a terrible case of letting it fester. If Kelly new then there should be consequences. But please media let's not cover it up the way you did with the Hillary issues of sexual predators. Lets hope Rob Porter gets the same treatment Bill got and Hillary's spiritual advisor got.

Nope, I hope they ride him out on a rail.

Democrats like sexual predators as long as they support the Clintons. Maybe if he changes parties now the media will tell us it didn't happen.

Kelly's in an impossible place. His job is like herding cats. Trump, the "stable genius" is like managing a 3 year old in constant tantrum mode. Yes, he probably overlooks and covers up a lot
But, he seems to be the controlling leader in the White House. Sure, he should probably go. But, then who would contain Trump?

If you want to kill the serpent cut the head off the snake. Another new Chief of Staff won't change anything to our soiled presidency. Did replacing Flynn, Scaramuci, Bannon, Price, Priebus, etc., etc. restore any decency or efficiency to this WH? Of course not. Wake up, the problem is Trump and the type of people attracted to him.

Kelly handpicked by Republican trump ignored the fact that his protÉgÉ likes to beat up women.

Just when Americans thought the Republican trump WH could not get any worse...

It does.

@Esquire - Springville, UT
"It's amazing how this fair-haired, elite, protected, coddled LDS boy has created a controversy that just won't go away. It is still a big story in the national and international media

@1eaggie-SaltLakeCity, Utah
(note: Rob Porter worked for Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee before joining Kelly's staff).

So now this begs the question, Just how much did Mike Lee and Orrin Hatch really know about these domestic violence events ? Will we ever know the truth? No !!

Is anyone really surprised?

Obviously, there needs to be a larger conversation on how we treat reports of spousal abuse.

Rob Porter's ex-wives report they went to their local LDS leaders and shared what was happening inside the marriage but felt little support when they did.

Eric Hawkins, church spokesperson, responding to these reports issued this statement:

“It is difficult to speak to specific circumstances without complete information from all involved, but the position of the church is clear: There is zero tolerance for abuse of any kind,” Hawkins said. “Church leaders are given instruction on how to prevent and report abuse and how to care for those who have been abused.”

(note: Rob Porter worked for Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee before joining Kelly's staff).

The story in national news includes the "cover up" of the abuse by LDS Bishops, who reportedly told one of his abused previous wives to consider how reporting abuse would affect his career!

* Comment included overly speculative thoughts or information not included in the story.
The whole world is aware of everything I wrote in this comment.

It is amazing how many people are affected by this affair besides the two women and the accused. The one common denominator to this whole affair should have been the TRUTH. But the macho man can't admit the whole truth, the macho politician can't admit the whole truth and the macho designed bureaucracy can't admit the whole truth. It is like an electrician running out of wire to wire a house. The shortage will always be there. You can't dream away the problem, you can't hush away the problem and you certainly can't claim that time has elasped .
As Chief of Staff he is responsible for security and Porter was not granted a full secuity clearance because of this past domestic violence incident(s). And Kelly knew it! The FBI sent him documents to that effect. Maybe it was the marine in his blood that refused to admit that his fair headed protege was dirty. So now not only the accused is going to pay, but the men involved will pay, the bureauracy will pay and the problem will grow instead of diminish.

********************

It's more than fair to say they handled this badly. For months.
I'm getting tired of all the winning.

It's amazing how this fair-haired, elite, protected, coddled LDS boy has created a controversy that just won't go away. It is still a big story in the national and international media.

Kelly learning the hard way that everything and everyone that comes in contact with Trump will in the end lose credibility and become sullied!