Move Creates A Whole New World Of Uncertainty
One day after Trump’s announcement he’s pulling U.S. troops out of Syria, the President Tweets his Defense Secretary is going.
The former four-star General will serve through the end of February.
Not a complete surprise, except for the timing. (In a recent 60 Minutes interview, Trump quipped: “I think he’s sort of a Democrat”). But the move creates a whole new world of uncertainty about who’s next up. Mattis, along with exiting White House Chief of Staff John Kelly have certainly numbered among the “grownups” surrounding Trump. And most of the many former generals Trump brought into his administration at the beginning are now gone.
Here a segment from Mattis’ resignation letter to the President that we found most pertinent (you can read the rest rest of it by clicking here):
“My views on treating allies with respect and also being clear-eyed about both malign actors and strategic competitors are strongly held and informed by over four decades of immersion in these issues. We must do everything possible to advance an international order that is most conducive to our security, prosperity and values, and we are strengthened in this effort by the solidarity of our alliances.
Because you have the right to have a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned with yours on these and other subjects, I believe it is right for me to step down from my position.”