John Kelly and the ‘Good Soldier’ Defense
As a retired military prosecutor, I often watched high-ranking officers argue in court that their underlings were incapable of wrongdoing. Sound familiar?
It came as no surprise to me earlier this month when White House Chief of Staff John Kelly offered his full-throated support to Rob Porter, a White House aide, who was accused of domestic abuse by his two ex-wives. “I can’t say enough good things about him,” Kelly said in his first public statement following the published allegations. “He is a friend, a confidante, and a trusted professional. I am proud to serve alongside him.”
While those unfamiliar with military justice may be shocked to see Kelly, a retired four-star general, publicly defend Porter
