President Trump declared he is “totally opposed to domestic violence of any kind” as the White House sought to tamp down growing controversy surrounding former aide Rob Porter who resigned last week after facing allegations that he had abused his two ex-wives, the Washington Post reports.

Said Trump: “I’m totally opposed to domestic violence of any kind. Everyone knows that. And it almost wouldn’t even have to be said. So, now you hear it, but you all know.”

He declined to answer any follow up questions.

George David Banks, a senior official on the National Economic Council, “resigned after being informed that he would not receive a permanent security clearance, as the White House faces increasing scrutiny over the number of high-ranking officials allowed to work on interim clearances,” Politico reports.

Banks “was informed by the White House counsel’s office Tuesday that his application for a permanent clearance would not be granted over his past marijuana use.”

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

— A White House official, quoted by the Washington Post, calling chief of staff John Kelly “a big fat liar” in his handling of the Rob Porter abuse scandal.