OMB Director Mick Mulvaney told Fox News' Chris Wallace Sunday that President Trump and chief of staff John Kelly gave former White House Staff Secretary Rob Porter the “benefit of the doubt” regarding allegations of his domestic abuse — until photos came out out showing Porter's ex-wife Colbie Holderness with a black eye. Mulvaney said that is "a very normal and human reaction."
Why it matters: This directly contradicts Kelly’s version of events. A member of Congress who has discussed the matter directly with Kelly and Trump told Axios' Jonathan Swan and Mike Allen that when the Daily Mail story detailing the allegations came out, Kelly said he immediately took action: he confronted Porter and told him he had to resign.
