FBI Director’s Timeline of Porter Probe Contradicts White House

Christopher Wray tells Senate committee that agency ‘administratively closed’ file on Rob Porter, contradicting White House claim that probe was ongoing

The head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation said his agency first flagged issues with its background check of Rob Porter to the administration in March, a timeline that conflicts with what the White House said it knew about the former aide’s past.

Mr. Porter resigned last week amid accusations that he physically abused two ex-wives. He has denied the allegations.

Director Christopher Wray told the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday that the FBI last year gave multiple updates to the White House on its findings about Mr. Porter. After sharing a partial report on Mr. Porter in March, the FBI provided its completed background check on Mr. Porter to the White House in July, Mr. Wray said. The White House asked follow-up questions, he said, and the FBI provided answers to those in November.

In January, the FBI “administratively closed” Mr. Porter’s file, Mr. Wray said. Earlier this month, the agency received “some additional information, and we passed that on as well,” he said. Mr. Porter didn’t receive a permanent national security clearance, according to White House officials.

“I’m quite confident that in this particular instance, the FBI followed existing protocols,” Mr. Wray added.

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