GOP rep on WH handling of Porter: Need to know ‘why it took so long to act’

Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.) said Monday the White House still needs to further explain its handling of domestic violence allegations against former aide Rob Porter, who resigned last week.

“I think it’s important for them to be transparent and explicit about who knew what when and why it took so long to act,” Curbelo said on CNN’s “New Day.”

Porter’s two ex-wives accused him of abusing them during their marriages in reports published last week. One of the accounts included photos of his first wife, Colbie Holderness, with a black eye that she says Porter gave her.

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Porter resigned Wednesday as White House staff secretary, despite statements from White House officials defending Porter’s character.

Chief of staff John Kelly, in particular, has faced scrutiny after he reportedly knew about the allegations for months before they were published in the media.

President Trump on Friday addressed Porter’s resignation. He made no mention of the women who accused him of abuse and praised Porter for his work in the administration.

Curbelo said Monday that Trump’s rhetoric on the allegations against Porter was not appropriate.

“I think first, especially after looking at those pictures we have to really express the concern and the pain that we feel for those women,” he said.

“Now, I understand the president’s sentiment, too. I don’t think we need to rush to convict people, to condemn people, and yes everyone should have the ability to defend themselves,” he continued. “But that doesn’t mean we ignore the pain and the suffering of the victims of domestic abuse, which is very real and very serious.”

Curbelo faces a tough 2018 reelection campaign in a district that voted for Hillary Clinton by more than 15 points in the 2016 presidential election.