Trump heaps praises on disgraced Rob Porter

United States President Donald Trump has heaped praises on former White House staff secretary Rob Porter, who resigned over allegations of domestic abuse.

Extending support to the disgraced staffer, the local media quoted Trump as saying, "We wish him well, he worked very hard."

"We found out about it recently, and I was surprised by it, but we certainly wish him well, and it's a tough time for him. He did a very good job when he was in the White House, and we hope he has a wonderful career, and he will have a great career ahead of him," the US President added in his first public remarks on the topic.

Trump said he was sad to learn of the allegations, but added: "As you probably know, he says he's innocent. And I think you have to remember that."

The comments came the day after White House acknowledged that it "could have done better" over the last few days when it came to "dealing with" a controversy revolving around former top aide Rob Porter.

We all could have done better over the last few hours, the last few days, in dealing with this," White House deputy press secretary Raj Shah, making his debut appearance at the daily press briefing, said.

". but the emerging reports were not reflective of the individual we have come to know," Shah added.

On Wednesday, White House staff secretary Rob Porter has resigned following allegations of abuse from his two ex-wives.

It is alleged that Porter, 40, gave one ex-wife a black eye while another filed a restraining order.

Porter's ex-wives, Colbie Holderness and Jennifer Willoughby, both went public in The Daily Mail with accounts of what they branded as physically and emotionally abusive behavior.

Porter has denied the allegations against him saying, in a statement that, "These outrageous allegations are simply false.