Sen. Hatch, and the LDS Church, Minimize Domestic Violence

Salt Lake Tribune
February 11, 2018

https://www.sltrib.com/opinion/editorial/2018/02/11/tribune-editorial-sen-hatch-and-the-lds-church-minimize-domestic-violence/

FILE - In this Dec. 19, 2017, file photo, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington. Hatch says he is retiring after four decades in Senate (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Now that Sen. Orrin Hatch has announced his retirement, it appears that his handlers have taken the muzzle off.

Hatch made headlines this past week after he cavalierly dismissed reports of spousal abuse by his former chief of staff, Rob Porter.

Porter resigned as staff secretary to President Trump after information about his alleged physical and mental abuse of two ex-wives became public.

Not just a White House staff secretary, Porter was Hatch’s former chief of staff as well as former counsel to Sen. Mike Lee. He previously taught at Brigham Young University and served a Mormon mission in London.

Jennifer Willoughby and Colbie Holderness, Porter’s ex-wives, both told the FBI about Porter’s alleged abuse during a background check. Holderness gave the FBI a picture of herself with a large black eye. Trump’s White House knew of the allegations, and hired him anyway.

In other words, the White House did not care that a top official had been accused of similar abuse by two ex-spouses.

That is a shocking disgrace.

What’s even more shocking is Hatch’s comments regarding this week’s revelation. Granted, there is no proof that Hatch or Lee knew of the abuse allegations during the time Porter worked for them. But Hatch’s comments this past week belie his innocence.

When first asked, Hatch said, “Shame on any publication that would print this. … I know Rob. I’ve known him for years, both as a close friend and as a personal advisor. He is kind and considerate towards all. The country needs more honest, principled people like Rob Porter.”

Don’t ever underestimate what it takes for a woman to speak up.

White House officials continued to extol Porter’s virtues and defend him as an upright and model citizen.