Top White House Aide Resigns Amid Abuse Allegations

A top White House aide is stepping down following allegations of domestic abuse by his two ex-wives.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders read a statement from staff secretary Rob Porter: "These outrageous allegations are simply false. I took the photos given to the media nearly 15 years ago and the reality behind them is nowhere close to what is being described. I have been transparent and truthful about these vile claims, but I will not further engage publicly with a coordinated smear campaign."

DailyMail.com reported that two former wives of Porter claimed that he was verbally and physically abusive during their marriages. NBC News reached out to the women but has not spoken with them or investigated their stories.

Porter's first wife, Colbie Holderness, claimed Porter choked and punched her during their five-year marriage.

His second wife, Jennifer Willoughby, said Porter lobbed expletives at her on their honeymoon.

Sanders said Porter was not asked to resign, and that it was a decision he made himself.

Porter's statement continued: "My commitment to public service speaks for itself. I have always put duty to country first and treated others with respect. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have served in the Trump Administration and will seek to ensure a smooth transition when I leave the White House."

Porter served as the chief of staff for Sen. Orrin Hatch, who came to his defense.

"It's incredibly discouraging to see such a vile attack on such a decent man. Shame on any publication that would print this—and shame on the politically motivated, morally bankrupt character assassins that would attempt to sully a man's good name," Hatch said of his "close friend."

White House chief of staff John Kelly also defended Porter, calling him a "man of true integrity."