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U.S. NEWS Saturday 10 February 2018
Trump says it's a 'tough time' for ex-aide accused of abuse

cent. And I think you have according to an adminis-
to remember that." tration official who was not
The comments came the authorized to publicly dis-
day after White House cuss internal matters and
chief of staff John Kelly spoke on condition of ano-
tried to assure staff that the nymity.
Trump administrations takes The chief of staff had
domestic violence "very sought information about
seriously" amid mounting the status of security clear-
questions about how Por- ance applications for top
ter managed to maintain aides, and it was then he
a position of high influence learned there were allega-
despite the allegations. tions against Porter from his
Porter, who was arguably ex-wives, said the official.
White House chief of staff Porter and Kelly later dis-
John Kelly's closest aide, cussed the allegations. The
cleaned out his desk on official said White House
Thursday. The fallout from counsel Don McGahn was
his resignation reverber- apprised of at least some
ated amid concerns about of the accusations at least
his access to classified in- four times, including in Jan-
formation and about how uary 2017, the official said.
long senior staffers had That includes in November,
In this Jan. 20, 2017 photo, White House Staff Secretary Rob Porter, center, hands President Donald known about the allega- when one of Porter's ex-girl-
Trump a confirmation order for James Mattis as defense secretary, in the Oval Office of the White
House in Washington, as White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, right, watches. Porter is step- tions. friends called McGahn to
ping down following allegations of domestic abuse by his two ex-wives. Porter has denied the alle- describe allegations of do-
(AP Photo/Evan Vucci) gations, calling them "out- mestic abuse against him.
rageous" and part of "a The person stressed that the
By JONATHAN LEMIRE cence, and the president ously, tough time for him. coordinated smear cam- FBI had at no point revoked
CATHERINE LUCEY made no mention of the He did a very good job paign." Porter's security clearance,
JILL COLVIN women who have report- when he was in the White Though the accusations which they could have
WASHINGTON (AP) — Presi- ed physical and emotional House. And we hope he against Porter became done. Kelly, meanwhile,
dent Donald Trump said Fri- abuse. has a wonderful career." public this week, Kelly was Porter’s loudest de-
day that a former aide ac- It was Trump's first comment Trump said he was sad to learned last fall that some- fender, including in the
cused of domestic abuse on the allegations against learn of the allegations, but thing was amiss with the first hours after the graphic
by two ex-wives had done Porter, who has been one added: "As you probably staff secretary's attempts to photos of alleged abuse
a "very good job" at the of his most trusted staffers know, he says he's inno- get a security clearance, emerged. q
White House, adding, "We until this week. Porter re-
certainly wish him well." signed after his ex-wives' al-
Trump emphasized that legations became public.
former staff secretary Rob Trump offered sympathy for
Porter maintains his inno- Porter, saying, "It's a, obvi-

Groping claims hit California

Assembly #MeToo advocate

By K. RONAYNE Garcia said she is taking a
Associated Press leave to minimize distrac-
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) tions and avoid appear-
— California Assembly- ances of exerting influ-
woman Cristina Garcia — a ence.
#MeToo advocate — took "Upon reflection of the de-
a voluntary unpaid leave tails alleged, I am certain I
of absence Friday, a day did not engage in the be-
after sexual misconduct havior I am accused of,"
allegations against her be- Garcia said in a statement.
came public. "However, as I've said be-
Garcia, a Democrat, chairs fore, any claims about
the Legislative Women's sexual harassment must
Caucus and has been be taken seriously, and I
an outspoken ally of the believe elected officials
anti-sexual harassment should be held to a higher
movement sweeping the standard of accountability.
California Capitol and the "
nation. She is accused of Fierro accused her of strok-
groping former legislative ing his back, grabbing his
staff member Daniel Fierro buttocks and trying to grab
in 2014, an allegation she his crotch in the dugout
denies. His claim is under after a legislative softball
a formal investigation, and game. q