Page 2 - Kelly Statement News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

>> michael, this gets into your area of expertise, the pdb, this briefing for the president let's put it this way has traditionally been handled, seen, dealt with by those who have been there before. professionals in the field. those who have been around a presidency. you found the kelly statement about jared interesting tonight in its wording. >> well, look, i think what's happening here is, first of all, the kelly statement was notable for the fact that it didn't specifically deny the charges that are being reported tonight, which is that kelly wants to see jared's -- jared's security cleara...

Became chief of staff. and this security clearance issue is certainly putting a real spotlight on jared kushner's situation. he does not have a permanent security clearance. there have been a number of questions raised through that process, including over his -- the things that he left off of his forms earlier when he first came into the white house. so it's been a problem for him. it's not really hit a head until this rob porter scandal, the staff secretary who was forced out over domestic abuse allegations, and it's created a conflict here. >> michael, this gets into your area of expertise, ...

>> well, look, i think what's happening here is, first of all, the kelly statement was notable for the fact that it didn't specifically deny the charges that are being reported tonight, which is that kelly wants to see jared's -- jared's security clearance cut off, and he seems to be suggesting you can go on and do these things and have fun -- >> knock yourself out. >> middle east to mexico. i question how you can be the guy overseeing the middle east peace process without a full security clearance. by the way, that involves so many complicated issues, including ones that have to do with terro...

Line here. because kelly's assertion that the picture changed things don't seem to add up with the time line we have. 7:09 p.m. did the stories detail their allegations of abuse by porter. in response, the chief of staff, john kelly released a statement drafted with the help of communications director hope hicks who, and this is complicated but this is real life, people, currently in a romantic relationship with rob porter, saying, quote, rob porter is a man of integrity. he's a friend. a trusted professional. i'm proud to serve along side him. >> in the morning, 8:27 picture with the black ey...

Important person inside this white house. rob porter was the president's shadow. he was -- he had john kelly's back. he was very important to kelly as kelly was trying to organize the white house and organize the president in many ways. the president liked porter, and trusted him, and i think that, you know, maybe if kelly looks back on this one day, he'll take a look at himself and say, you know, i was too willing to believe him because we all liked him and we all thought he was a great guy, and i think the lesson in life that you take away from this in many ways is that these men can be grea...