Gowdy Launches Oversight Investigation Into Rob Porter Scandal
‘How in the hell was he still employed?’ House Oversight Committee chairman asks
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has launched an investigation into the White House’s handling of senior aide Rob Porter, who was not issued a permanent security clearance due to allegations of domestic abuse by his two ex-wives.
“Who knew what, when, and to what extent? Those are the questions that I think ought to be asked,” the committee’s chairman, Republican Rep. Trey Gowdy of South Carolina, said Wednesday on CNN.
“And if you knew it in 2017 — and the [FBI] briefed [White House officials] three times, then how in the hell was he still employed? … How do you have any job if you have credible allegations of domestic abuse?”
Republican Rep. Trey Gowdy on allegations of spousal abuse against former top White House aide Rob Porter: “How in the hell was he still employed… How do you have any job if you have credible allegations of domestic abuse?” https://t.co/vuNO7b7riO https://t.co/nHySCCvUGb
— CNN (@CNN) February 14, 2018
Trump has publicly defended Porter in the days since the allegations surfaced in the media.
“He also, as you probably know, says he’s innocent, and I think you have to remember that,” said the president, who has faced sexual assault accusations from multiple women. “He said very strongly yesterday that he’s innocent, so you have to talk to him about that. But we absolutely wish him well. He did a very good job when he was at the White House.”
Trump’s communications team has offered conflicting statements and timelines on the series of events within the White House dealing with Porter’s employment. Meanwhile, FBI Director Christopher Wray contradicted some of those accounts in testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday.
Chief of Staff John F. Kelly has become a lightning rod for criticism for retaining Porter even after he apparently knew of the allegations.
“Whether or not there’s a security clearance at issue or not, I have real questions about how someone like this could be considered for employment,” Gowdy said.
Watch: FBI Director Discusses Porter Security Clearance Timeline
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