Rep. Ted W. Lieu (D-Torrance) wrote a letter with Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) and Brenda Lawrence (D-Minn.) asking White House Chief of Staff John Kelly to explain when he had knowledge of the allegations of domestic abuse by White House Staff Secretary Rob Porter and the actions he took given that knowledge.

According to reports, Porter’s alleged abusive behavior was the reason he was unable to secure a permanent security clearance, yet apparently Kelly defended him, promoted him and urged him to stay, according to a news release from Lieu’s office.

“We are especially troubled by reports that after the Federal Bureau of Investigation learned of Mr. Porter’s abusive behavior and the protective order last year and reported it to the White House, you and other Administration officials decided to keep him on the White House staff,” the letter reads. “We are also appalled by your dismissive statement, following the first reports of abuse allegations, that Rob Porter is a ‘man of true integrity’ and that you were ‘proud to serve alongside him.’ According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, ‘More than 10 million Americans are victims of physical violence annually.’ Furthermore, ‘20 people are victims of physical violence every minute in the United States and 76 percent of intimate partner physical violence victims are female; 24 percent are male.’ The alleged behavior exhibited by Mr. Porter has no place in our society. It is a stain on the White House and an insult to all of the women and men who have been victimized by domestic abusers.”