Jump to content

Rob Porter

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Rob Portman, for whom Porter has worked.

Rob Porter
White House Staff Secretary
In office
January 20, 2017 – February 7, 2018
PresidentDonald Trump
DeputyDerek Lyons
Preceded byJoani Walsh
Succeeded byDerek Lyons
Personal details
BornRobert Roger Porter
(1977-10-25) October 25, 1977 (age 48)
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)
Colbie Holderness
​
​
(m. 2003; div. 2008)​

Jennie Willoughby
​
​
(m. 2009; div. 2013)​
Parent(s)Roger B. Porter
Ann Robinson
EducationHarvard University (BA, JD)
New College, Oxford (MPhil)

Robert Roger Porter (born October 25, 1977) is Chief Global Affairs Officer for Coupang, a Fortune 150 U.S. technology company headquartered in Seattle, Washington. An American lawyer and former political aide, Porter served as White House Staff Secretary during President Donald Trump’s first term. He was previously Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah.[1]

Porter resigned his position as White House Staff Secretary after domestic abuse allegations from both of his former wives came to public attention.[2]

Early life

[edit]

Porter was born in Boston and grew up in Belmont, Massachusetts, and Washington, D.C.[3][4] He is the son of Roger B. Porter, a former aide to Presidents George H. W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, and Gerald Ford, who is IBM Professor of Business and Government at Harvard University.[5][6] Porter's mother Ann Porter, who died in May 2017, was Faculty Dean of Harvard's Dunster House dormitory.[7] After graduating from high school, Porter interned in the U.S. Senate.[4]

Education

[edit]

He attended Harvard University,[8] where he studied government and was elected President of the Harvard Republican Club and Chair of Harvard Students for Bush.[9][10] After his freshman year at Harvard, he began a two-year stint as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in London, England.[4] During the summer of his junior year, Porter completed an internship at the White House and worked for the Domestic Policy Council.[4] He graduated summa cum laude in 2002 with membership in Phi Beta Kappa and was awarded the Thomas T. Hoopes Prize for outstanding academic research.[11][12][13][14][15].

Porter was subsequently a Rhodes Scholar, studying Political Theory at the University of Oxford,[4] where his thesis research focused on the moral and political thought of C. S. Lewis, graduating  in 2005.[16][17][18] Porter then attended Harvard Law School, graduating in 2008 with his Juris Doctor.[18] He served as Editor-in-Chief of the Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy,[19] a student-run publication focused on conservative and libertarian legal scholarship.[20] Porter was also a Lincoln Fellow at the Claremont Institute, a conservative think tank dedicated to statesmanship and political philosophy.[21]

Political career

[edit]
Porter with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, January 2017

Following law school, Porter clerked for the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.[3] After working briefly in private practice at a corporate law firm, Porter served as Chief Counsel to Senator Mike Lee on the Senate Judiciary Committee and later as General Counsel to Senator Rob Portman.[22][8][23][24] In 2014, Porter became Chief of Staff to Senator Orrin Hatch.[25]

Porter left his work with Congress in January 2017 to become White House Staff Secretary for President Donald Trump.[26]

In that role he drafted the President’s executive orders, vetted official documents requiring a presidential signature, and briefed the president daily on a range of issues.[27][28][29] He also served as Assistant to the President for Policy Coordination and “de facto deputy chief of staff for policy,” overseeing the President’s policy development and decision-making processes.[30][31][32][33][34][35][36] .

During the first year of the Trump administration, Porter led policy formulation on international trade, convening weekly cabinet-level meetings and developing tariff recommendations for the President.[37][38][39] He was also credited with a lead role in crafting Trump’s first State of the Union address in January 2018.[40][41][42]

Porter resigned from his position at the White House on February 7, 2018, following public allegations of spousal abuse, and was succeeded on an acting basis by Derek Lyons.[43] After his departure, Porter continued to advise Trump on policy issues. Trump told aides he wanted Porter to return to the White House, commenting that excessive media criticism due to his proximity to the President had left Porter unable to defend himself publicly.[44]

In September 2018, Porter and two other former Trump aides criticized Bob Woodward's book Fear: Trump in the White House, with Porter defending the president and saying the book was "selective and often misleading" in describing the administration.[45]

The Wall Street Journal published a pro-Trump opinion article by Porter in March 2019, arguing that despite his protectionist orientation Trump could “advance the cause of free trade more consequentially” than previous presidents.[46]

The House Judiciary Committee subpoenaed Porter in August 2019 to testify regarding Trump's actions in response to the Russia investigation,[47] and the White House directed Porter not to testify in September 2019.[48]

Coupang

[edit]

In 2023, Coupang appointed Porter as an advisor for external affairs, with a portfolio including global investments, cross-border trade, and U.S. government relations.[49] In 2025, Porter became the company’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, leading teams across North America, Asia, and Europe.[50]

Personal life

[edit]

In 2003, Porter married Colbie Holderness in Oxford, England, where he was a graduate student; they filed jointly for divorce in Massachusetts in 2008 citing irreconcilable differences.[51] In 2009, he married Jennifer Willoughby in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Porter filed for divorce from Willoughby in Virginia in 2013.[52] In February 2018, Willoughby and Holderness made allegations in an online British tabloid, DailyMail.com, that Porter had been “abusive” during their marriages.[53] Both Willoughby and Holderness authored opinion pieces linking their allegations to political criticisms of the Trump administration.[54][55] The story produced significant media coverage given scrutiny of the Trump White House.[56]

While various outlets published a photo of Holderness with a black eye that she said she took to document alleged abuse; she later admitted that this claim was false and that in fact Porter had taken the photo.[57][58]

Porter denied his ex-wives' claims but resigned from his position at the White House on February 7, 2018, stating, “These outrageous allegations are simply false….I have been transparent and truthful about these vile claims, but I will not further engage publicly with a coordinated smear campaign.”[59] Asked by reporters two days after Porter's resignation, President Donald Trump commented, "He said very strongly yesterday that he's innocent so you have to talk to him about that, but we absolutely wish him well, he did a very good job when he was at the White House." Willoughby stated "I don't want to be married to him….But I definitely want him in the White House and the position he is in. I think his integrity and ability to do his job is impeccable."

Porter had been dating White House Director of Communications Hope Hicks at the time of his resignation in 2018.[60]

The Washington Post reported that White House counsel Don McGahn had known since January 2017 about allegations Porter's ex-wives made to the FBI, and that Chief of Staff John F. Kelly had known about the allegations since October 2017. Post reporter Aaron Blake wrote that this development made the allegations a "full-blown scandal".

Kelly confirmed that Porter's background check had been completed by the FBI, as had been suggested by bureau director, Christopher Wray, but described the tabloid media claims against Porter as “new allegations” not originally included in the FBI background report.[61][62]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "APEC CEO Summit 2025". APEC CEO Summit Korea 2025.
  2. ^ Prokopandrew, Andrew (February 8, 2018). "Rob Porter's domestic violence scandal, and what it means for Trump's White House, explained". Vox. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  3. ^ a b Burr, Thomas (March 27, 2017). "Taking on a 'key nerve center' of the White House". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Harvard leads way in Rhodes Scholars". Harvard Gazette. December 13, 2001. Archived from the original on September 13, 2017. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  5. ^ "Roger Porter". www.hks.harvard.edu. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  6. ^ "Britain-bound". Harvard Magazine. March 1, 2002. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
  7. ^ Bishai, Graham W.; Xiao, Derek G. (May 18, 2017). "College Mourns the Loss of Dunster Faculty Dean Ann Porter". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  8. ^ a b Burr, Thomas (January 13, 2017). "Trump names Hatch chief of staff as new White House staff secretary". The Salt Lake Tribune. Archived from the original on January 16, 2017. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  9. ^ "Porter Elected Republican Club President | News | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  10. ^ "Creating Hate | Opinion | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  11. ^ Rogers, Katie (February 19, 2018). "Rob Porter's Charisma and Ambition Disguised Flare-ups of Anger". New York Times. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  12. ^ Dimengo, Katherine (June 3, 2002). "Phi Beta Kappa Members Named, Continuing 212-Year-Old Tradition of Recognition". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  13. ^ "Hoopes Prize Winners Announced | News | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  14. ^ "Prize Winners | Prize Office". prizes.fas.harvard.edu. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  15. ^ "APEC CEO SUMMIT KOREA 2025". www.apecceosummitkorea2025.com. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  16. ^ Boyd, Hal (February 2, 2017). "Hal Boyd: Meet the Mormon helping run Donald Trump's White House". Deseret News. Archived from the original on April 29, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
  17. ^ Porter, Robert R. (2004). Natural law and the political thought of C.S. Lewis, Thesis (M.Phil.). University of Oxford. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  18. ^ a b "Revolving Door : Rob Porter Education". OpenSecrets. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  19. ^ "Vols. 30-34". Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy. October 8, 2013. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  20. ^ "About". Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy. March 24, 2009. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  21. ^ "Lincoln Fellowship Alumni". The Claremont Institute. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  22. ^ Romboy, Dennis (January 13, 2017). "Hatch aide named to key White House job". Deseret News. Archived from the original on January 14, 2017. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  23. ^ Bowman, Bridget (July 14, 2014). "Hatch Staffers Value Their Beehive State Roots". Roll Call. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  24. ^ "Kelly moves to control the information Trump sees". POLITICO. August 24, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  25. ^ Bowman, Bridget (July 14, 2014). "Hatch Staffers Value Their Beehive State Roots". Roll Call. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  26. ^ "Hatch Applauds Selection of Chief of Staff as Senior White House Aide, Names Senior Counsel as New Chief" (Press release). United States Senator Orrin Hatch. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  27. ^ Karimi, Faith (February 8, 2018). "Rob Porter was a rising star before abuse allegations surfaced | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  28. ^ Burr, Thomas. "Taking on a 'key nerve center' of the White House". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  29. ^ "Kelly moves to control the information Trump sees". POLITICO. August 24, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  30. ^ "APEC CEO SUMMIT KOREA 2025". www.apecceosummitkorea2025.com. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  31. ^ Smith, Allan. "This White House staffer might have the most important behind-the-scenes job in the administration — controlling what gets to Trump". Business Insider. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  32. ^ Porter, Robert (March 14, 2019). "Opinion | Trump's Big Trade Opening". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  33. ^ "Trump gets lost in translation amid West Wing shuffle". POLITICO. April 20, 2018. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  34. ^ "This New Zealander is trying to tame Trump's chaotic policy shop". POLITICO. July 3, 2018. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  35. ^ "Trump Talks of Bringing Back Rob Porter, Aide Accused of Spousal Abuse (Published 2018)". March 26, 2018. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  36. ^ "Kelly moves to control the information Trump sees". POLITICO. August 24, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  37. ^ "Trump Talks of Bringing Back Rob Porter, Aide Accused of Spousal Abuse (Published 2018)". March 26, 2018. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  38. ^ Davis, Bob; Nicholas, Peter; Wei, Lingling (June 7, 2018). "'Get Moving': How Trump Ratcheted Up the Trade Battle With China". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  39. ^ Swan, Jonathan (December 31, 2017). "Inside the new trade arguments Trump is hearing". Axios. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  40. ^ "Trump Talks of Bringing Back Rob Porter, Aide Accused of Spousal Abuse (Published 2018)". March 26, 2018. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  41. ^ "President Trump delivers his first State of the Union address". ABC News. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  42. ^ "'He has to be normal': Trump's State of the Union aims for unity after a polarizing year". POLITICO. January 27, 2018. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  43. ^ "White House taps interim replacement for aide accused of abuse". The Hill. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
  44. ^ "Trump Talks of Bringing Back Rob Porter, Aide Accused of Spousal Abuse (Published 2018)". March 26, 2018. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  45. ^ "Former Trump aides break their silence on Woodward book". Politico. September 11, 2018. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  46. ^ Porter, Robert (March 14, 2019). "Opinion | Trump's Big Trade Opening". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  47. ^ Davis, Julie Hirschfeld; Haberman, Maggie (August 26, 2019). "Ex-White House Aide Rob Porter Is Subpoenaed in House Impeachment Inquiry". The New York Times. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  48. ^ Bade, Rachael; Dawsey, Josh (September 16, 2019). "White House blocks two former aides from testifying before House Judiciary Committee". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  49. ^ Global, KED. "Coupang taps former Trump aide for political relations - KED Global". KED Global. Archived from the original on September 2, 2025. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  50. ^ "APEC CEO SUMMIT KOREA 2025". www.apecceosummitkorea2025.com. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  51. ^ "Massachusetts Court Records". Mass Courts.
  52. ^ "A timeline of the Rob Porter allegations and White House responses - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. February 9, 2018. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
  53. ^ Boyle, Louise (February 7, 2018). "Ex-wife of Rob Porter, Trump's WH secretary tells of abusive marriage". Mail Online. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  54. ^ Collins, Kevin Liptak,Betsy Klein,Kaitlan (February 7, 2018). "White House aide denies abuse allegations but resigns | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved October 24, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  55. ^ "Opinion | Rob Porter is my ex-husband. Here's what you should know about abuse". The Washington Post. February 13, 2018. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  56. ^ Examiner, Washington (February 15, 2018). "Media turn Rob Porter from a story into the only story". Washington Examiner. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  57. ^ Brown, Ryan Grim, Alleen (February 7, 2018). "Former Wives of Top White House Aide Rob Porter Both Told FBI He Abused Them". The Intercept. Retrieved October 24, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  58. ^ "CNN.com - Transcripts". transcripts.cnn.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2024. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  59. ^ Collins, Kevin Liptak,Betsy Klein,Kaitlan (February 7, 2018). "White House aide denies abuse allegations but resigns | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved October 24, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  60. ^ "White House aide Rob Porter resigning amid abuse allegations". CBS News. February 8, 2018. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  61. ^ "In new statement, Kelly says he was 'shocked' by Porter allegations and condemns abuse". POLITICO. February 8, 2018. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  62. ^ Bender, Michael C. (March 2, 2018). "John Kelly Says Resignation of Top Aide Rob Porter Was Mishandled". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rob Porter.
Political offices
Preceded by
Joani Walsh
 White House Staff Secretary
2017–2018 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rob_Porter&oldid=1318880692"