WATCH: White House says Trump takes domestic violence very seriously

WASHINGTON — The White House is defending President Donald Trump’s failure to acknowledge the women who accused former staff secretary Rob Porter of domestic violence.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders tells reporters that Trump and the entire administration take domestic violence very seriously. And she says the president believes that all allegations need to be investigated thoroughly.

Sanders says she spoke directly with the president and he had “relayed that message directly to me.”

Trump complained on Twitter over the weekend that, “Peoples lives are being shattered and destroyed by a mere allegation. Some are true and some are false.” He also said he wished Porter well in his future career.

Sanders’ account diverged from what chief of staff John Kelly told reporters late last week, reports the PBS NewsHour’s Yamiche Alcindor:

Sarah Sanders is both saying Pres Trump supports victims of domestic abuse while avoiding answering whether Pres Trump believes that Rob Porter was to blame for his wife's black eye. She has said repeatedly several times that the WH believes in due process in reference to Porter.

— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) February 12, 2018

Important distinction:

John Kelly says that within 40 mins of learning about details of domestic violence allegations, Rob Porter was out of a job.

Sarah Sanders now saying "a conversation" happened within 40 mins but that Rob Porter was out of a job within 24 hrs not 40 mins

— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) February 12, 2018

Sarah Sanders on Pres. Trump's comments on Rob Porter: “The president supports victims of domestic violence …. The president wants success for all Americans.”

Note: Pres Trump himself to date hasn't said he supports victims of domestic violence or women beat by their husbands.

— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) February 12, 2018

MORE: How is John Kelly’s credibility hurt by Rob Porter abuse scandal?