Fox News hosts tried to excuse President Donald Trump's actions in the continuing Rob Porter scandal that has engulfed the White House.
The FBI director contradicted administration claims about an investigation into domestic abuse allegations against Porter, who was pushed out last week as staff secretary, and four of the five "Outnumbered" hosts argued that Trump had largely been kept in the dark about the situation.
"It's plausible to think that throughout this process your president and your chief of staff aren't digging all the way down into investigation for the details," said co-host Pete Hegseth. "He probably told his side of the story, which was a spin for him, which it would be, and they probably believed it -- that's how we got where we got.
However, co-host Jessica Tarlov wasn't buying that explanation, and she called out the president for once again failing to strongly condemn the abuse of women.
"There is fundamental issue here is that the president of the United States is uncomfortable condemning domestic violence when he asked explicitly," Tarlov said, over the protests of her co-hosts. "No, he is -- reporters asked him yesterday. He had the chance."
Co-host Melissa Francis jumped in to offer an explanation for Trump's refusal to condemn Porter for the allegations made by both his ex-wives and an ex-girlfriend.
"He's very sensitive to people he believes being falsely accused, he wants due process," Faulkner said. "I think what he's saying is a lot of people in this country have gotten frightened by the idea there isn't due process every time. That has pushed him possibly, I'm inferring and i don't know this, to a place where he doesn't want to jump to conclusions. In this case, there was evidence -- whether or not he saw it, I don't know."
Tarlov quickly threw cold water on Faulkner's claim that Trump might not have seen reporting about Porter's alleged abuse -- or a photo of the aide's ex-wife with a black eye.
"He watches TV all day," Tarlov said.
