Why I’ve lost faith in John Kelly’s integrity

John Kelly, President Trump's chief of staff and a retired Marine general, has served his country with distinction for decades. What I will remember about him, however, was how he disgraced himself in October on national television by lying about U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, a Florida congresswoman.

Kelly recalled a 2015 FBI building dedication in Miami – a new building was being named after two fallen FBI agents – and claims Wilson gave a speech where she took credit for securing $20 million for the building. He sprinkled in other details and suggested her remarks were a stunning insult to the fallen agents.

Television news video proves Kelly 100 percent wrong on every single allegation. She did not take any credit for the funding. A full airing shows impassioned praise for the courage and service of law enforcement officers and first responders. And she especially praised the heroism of the two fallen agents.

I was certain, given the video proof, that an apology would be forthcoming. An honorable man would step up and acknowledge his glaring errors. Two weeks, nothing. Kelly finally said in a new interview he would never apologize.

What a sad and disgraceful epilogue.

This story was originally published November 15, 2017 at 12:33 PM with the headline "Why I’ve lost faith in John Kelly’s integrity."