Scaramucci accuses Kelly of covering up allegations against Rob Porter

Former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci said Thursday he believes chief of staff John Kelly led a cover-up of domestic abuse allegations against ex-staff secretary Rob Porter. 

“He had the information. He tried to cover up the information. He tried to get other people inside the White House to cover up the information for him,” Scaramucci said on CNN’s “New Day.” 

Scaramucci added that he doesn’t believe the White House’s statement that Kelly acted on accusations against Porter as soon as he knew about them.

{mosads}Porter resigned last month after allegations he abused his two ex-wives became public. Kelly drew criticism when he stood by Porter, despite the accusations.

Kelly has not explained why he did not cut ties with Porter after the FBI notified the White House months before Porter resigned about the allegations that turned up during his background check. He later said the matter was “all done right.”

Scaramucci, who was fired by Kelly after 11 days in his role, said Thursday that his criticisms did not stem from a personal grudge with the chief of staff. Scaramucci was ousted last summer after a reporter published disparaging comments he made about then-staffers Stephen Bannon and Reince Priebus.

“I talked a little bit of smack about two guys that we were trying to get rid of, he fires me in five seconds,” Scaramucci said. “These guys are smacking up their wives and he’s trying to figure out a way to keep them inside the White House. So it’s very dishonest to me.”