Kelly still digging himself deeper

White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly on Friday morning instructed senior staff to communicate a version of events about the departure of staff secretary Rob Porter that contradicts the Trump administration’s previous accounts, according to two senior officials.

During a staff meeting, Kelly told those in attendance to say he took action to remove Porter within 40 minutes of learning that abuse allegations from two ex-wives were credible, according to the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because discussions in such meetings are supposed to be confidential.

[...]

[O]ne of the officials said [...] that people after the meeting expressed disbelief with one another and felt his latest account was not true.

  WaPo

Kelly went from icon of integrity to evil overlord in less than a year. Well played.

Kelly — who first learned of the domestic violence allegations against Porter months ago — issued a glowing statement of support for Porter’s personal character after the allegations first surfaced publicly Tuesday and privately urged him to remain on the job until the next day when his resignation was announced.

At Friday’s meeting, Kelly also told subordinates to convey to other White House aides that he cares about domestic violence, according to the officials.

Yes, we've seen.

On Tuesday night, after the abuse allegations against Porter were made public by the Daily Mail, Kelly said in a statement: “Rob Porter is a man of true integrity and honor, and I can’t say enough good things about him. He is a friend, a confidante and a trusted professional. I am proud to serve alongside him.”

On Wednesday morning, after photographs were posted on Twitter overnight by an Intercept reporter showing one of Porter’s ex-wives with a black eye, Kelly privately stood by Porter and urged him to stay in the job, White House officials said at the time.

[...]

Later Wednesday night, Kelly issued a new statement condemning domestic violence and saying he was “shocked by the new allegations” against Porter. He also said he stood by his “previous comments of the Rob Porter that I have come to know since becoming Chief of Staff, and believe every individual deserves the right to defend their reputation.”

By Thursday afternoon, White House spokesman Raj Shah said Porter had been “terminated” Wednesday and had cleaned out his desk.

And Friday, Kelly tells everyone to say he immediately took action to remove Porter. What a week for Kelly, eh?

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.