denied his security clearance last fall after reports of abuse were discovered during a background check. yet porter was still able to keep his post through a temporary waiver authorized by the white house. white house communications director hope hicks, one of the most influential advisers in the west wing, has been in a romantic relationship with porter, aides tell cnn. despite that, cnn has learned hicks was involved in crafting the initial denial to the abuse allegations. first reported tuesday night by dailymail.com. porter's first wife told cnn the abuse started shortly after their wedding in 2003. she said she was choked, punched, and emotionally abused. she showed us these pictures of her bruised eye from a 2005 trip to italy. in a statement of resignation today, porter said these outrageous allegations are simply false. he acknowledged the authenticity of the photos but said the reality behind them is nowhere close to what is being described. but his second wife sought an emergency protective order against him a year after their