Aaron P. Bernstein/Reuters
Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch has reportedly reached out and apologized to the two ex-wives of a White House aide who recently stepped down over domestic violence allegations. Jennie Willoughby, the second ex-wife of former White House staff secretary Rob Porter, told CNN on Sunday Hatch sent her a letter offering a “sincere apology for pain he may have caused us.” Colbie Holderness, Porter’s first ex-wife, also confirmed receiving a letter from Hatch, who initially defended the White House aide as a “decent man” and called the domestic violence allegations against him a “vile attack” when they were first publicized earlier this month. Hatch, who previously employed Porter as his chief of staff, reportedly sought to explain to the two ex-wives why he initially dismissed their claims. He said he “was under the impression political enemies were mounting an attack against Rob, which is why he released the first statement” describing the allegations as an attack, Willoughby said.