WH official to WaPo: Kelly handling of Porter saga ‘amounts to dereliction of duty’

White House chief of staff John Kelly’s handling of the domestic abuse allegations against former staff secretary Rob Porter “amounts to dereliction of duty,” a White House official said amid fallout from the scandal.

The official, speaking to The Washington Post on the condition of anonymity, said that Kelly is a “big fat liar” for his mishandling of the allegations against Porter.

“To put it in terms the general would understand, his handling of the Porter scandal amounts to dereliction of duty,” the official was quoted as saying.

Kelly has been the target of intense scrutiny since Porter’s two ex-wives came forward last week to accuse the former top Trump aide of domestic abuse. 

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Kelly, who was reportedly considering Porter for a promotion, initially defended the aide before more details of the allegations emerged, including a photo of Porter’s first wife with a black eye.

Trump’s top aide later said he was “shocked by the new allegations” that spurred the aide’s resignation.

Top officials at the White House have claimed that they were unaware of Porter’s history until recently and that his background check was “ongoing” before he resigned last week.

FBI Director Christopher Wray disputed the White House timeline on Tuesday in a Senate hearing, telling lawmakers that the bureau sent a preliminary report on Porter to the White House in March and a full report in July. 

The White House also asked for a follow-up report in November, Wray said.