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Donald Trump has announced his secretary of defense, Jim Mattis, will retire in February, in the latest high-profile change to Trump administration personnel.
“General Jim Mattis will be retiring, with distinction, at the end of February, after having served my Administration as Secretary of Defense for the past two years,” Trump tweeted on Thursday.
Trump’s announcement comes a day after he surprised US allies and members of Congress by announcing the withdrawal of US troops from Syria.
In his resignation letter, Mattis said Trump deserved a defense secretary “whose views are better aligned with yours.”
“General Jim Mattis will be retiring, with distinction, at the end of February, after having served my Administration as Secretary of Defense for the past two years,” Trump tweeted on Thursday.
Trump’s announcement comes a day after he surprised US allies and members of Congress by announcing the withdrawal of US troops from Syria.
In his resignation letter, Mattis said Trump deserved a defense secretary “whose views are better aligned with yours.”
Good on Mattis, I'll give him top marks for his decision to leave. He has an unblemished career and has had to deal with an unhinged POTUS for his tenure. Good luck sir. Syria has pushed him over the edge. He remembers colleagues who have given their lives in service and a Commander in Chief who avoided recognising their sacrifices in France because he didn't want to get his hair wet.
Senator Corker (a Republican) once said that only three people are separating US from “chaos”.
Tillerson, Kelly and Mattis. They’ll all soon be gone.
Tillerson, Kelly and Mattis. They’ll all soon be gone.
“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.”
Good on him.
Good on him.
Coop.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders explained on Sunday the cancellation was based off safety and logistical challenges.
“Yesterday, because of near-zero visibility, Marine One was unable to fly, as planned,” Sanders said in a statement.
“A car ride of two and a half hours, each way, would have required closures to substantial portions of Paris roadways for the President’s’ motorcade, on short notice.”
Other high ranking US Government Officials were in attendance that day.
There was two days of Armistice Day Rememberance ceremonies at war dead cemeteries in France and POTUS was in attendance the second day.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders explained on Sunday the cancellation was based off safety and logistical challenges.
“Yesterday, because of near-zero visibility, Marine One was unable to fly, as planned,” Sanders said in a statement.
“A car ride of two and a half hours, each way, would have required closures to substantial portions of Paris roadways for the President’s’ motorcade, on short notice.”
Other high ranking US Government Officials were in attendance that day.
There was two days of Armistice Day Rememberance ceremonies at war dead cemeteries in France and POTUS was in attendance the second day.
POTUS couldn't even cross the road in Washington to Arlington Cemetery for Memorial Day. Pulling troops out of Syria, but too scared to visit troops on the front line. He's a draft dodging coward.
A senior national security official told @JoshNBCNews that the "wheels are coming off" tonight.
Jim Mattis letter of resignation - Pretty damning
Dear Mr. President:
I have been privileged to serve as our country's 26th Secretary of Defense which has allowed me to serve alongside our men and women of the Department in defense of our citizens and our ideals.
I am proud of the progress that has been made over the past two years on some of the key goals articulated in our National Defense Strategy: putting the Department on a more sound budgetary footing, improving readiness and lethality in our forces, and reforming the Department's business practices for greater performance. Our troops continue to provide the capabilities needed to prevail in conflict and sustain strong U.S. global influence.
One core belief I have always held is that our strength as a nation is inextricably linked to the strength of our unique and comprehensive system of alliances and partnerships. While the US remains the indispensable nation in the free world, we cannot protect our interests or serve that role effectively without maintaining strong alliances and showing respect to those allies. Like you, I have said from the beginning that the armed forces of the United States should not be the policeman of the world. Instead, we must use all tools of American power to provide for the common defense, including providing effective leadership to our alliances. NATO's 29 democracies demonstrated that strength in their commitment to fighting alongside us following the 9-11 attack on America. The Defeat-ISIS coalition of 74 nations is further proof.
Similarly, I believe we must be resolute and unambiguous in our approach to those countries whose strategic interests are increasingly in tension with ours. It is clear that China and Russia, for example, want to shape a world consistent with their authoritarian model - gaining veto authority over other nations' economic, diplomatic, and security decisions - to promote their own interests at the expense of their neighbors, America and our allies. That is why we must use all the tools of American power to provide for the common defense.
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. The end date for my tenure is February 28, 2019, a date that should allow sufficient time for a successor to be nominated and confirmed as well as to make sure the Department's interests are properly articulated and protected at upcoming events to include Congressional posture hearings and the NATO Defense Ministerial meeting in February. Further, that a full transition to a new Secretary of Defense occurs well in advance of the transition of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in September in order to ensure stability Within the Department.
I pledge my full effort to a smooth transition that ensures the needs and interests of the 2.15 million Service Members and 732,079 DoD civilians receive undistracted attention of the Department at all times so that they can fulfill their critical, round-the-clock mission to protect the American people.
I very much appreciate this opportunity to serve the nation and our men and women in uniform.
Dear Mr. President:
I have been privileged to serve as our country's 26th Secretary of Defense which has allowed me to serve alongside our men and women of the Department in defense of our citizens and our ideals.
I am proud of the progress that has been made over the past two years on some of the key goals articulated in our National Defense Strategy: putting the Department on a more sound budgetary footing, improving readiness and lethality in our forces, and reforming the Department's business practices for greater performance. Our troops continue to provide the capabilities needed to prevail in conflict and sustain strong U.S. global influence.
One core belief I have always held is that our strength as a nation is inextricably linked to the strength of our unique and comprehensive system of alliances and partnerships. While the US remains the indispensable nation in the free world, we cannot protect our interests or serve that role effectively without maintaining strong alliances and showing respect to those allies. Like you, I have said from the beginning that the armed forces of the United States should not be the policeman of the world. Instead, we must use all tools of American power to provide for the common defense, including providing effective leadership to our alliances. NATO's 29 democracies demonstrated that strength in their commitment to fighting alongside us following the 9-11 attack on America. The Defeat-ISIS coalition of 74 nations is further proof.
Similarly, I believe we must be resolute and unambiguous in our approach to those countries whose strategic interests are increasingly in tension with ours. It is clear that China and Russia, for example, want to shape a world consistent with their authoritarian model - gaining veto authority over other nations' economic, diplomatic, and security decisions - to promote their own interests at the expense of their neighbors, America and our allies. That is why we must use all the tools of American power to provide for the common defense.
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. The end date for my tenure is February 28, 2019, a date that should allow sufficient time for a successor to be nominated and confirmed as well as to make sure the Department's interests are properly articulated and protected at upcoming events to include Congressional posture hearings and the NATO Defense Ministerial meeting in February. Further, that a full transition to a new Secretary of Defense occurs well in advance of the transition of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in September in order to ensure stability Within the Department.
I pledge my full effort to a smooth transition that ensures the needs and interests of the 2.15 million Service Members and 732,079 DoD civilians receive undistracted attention of the Department at all times so that they can fulfill their critical, round-the-clock mission to protect the American people.
I very much appreciate this opportunity to serve the nation and our men and women in uniform.
Vicky will find a way to put a spin on that letter. Very damning indeed.
Vicky will find a way to put a spin on that letter. Very damning indeed.
The Mad Dog has been tamed and has gone for his 'walkies'
i note that Trump says "retiring" & not "resigning" Probably best not to take to much note of the Presidents wordage, but it caught my eye
Dec 20, 2018 -- 11:30PM, cooperman wrote:
POTUS couldn't even cross the road in Washington to Arlington Cemetery for Memorial Day. Pulling troops out of Syria, but too scared to visit troops on the front line. He's a draft dodging coward.
It's quite possible that he is repatriating the troops because he is too scared to visit them.
you think he is the defence secretary to disagree with the commander in chief
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/robert-gates-former-defense-secretary-offers-harsh-critique-of-obamas-leadership-in-duty/2014/01/07/6a6915b2-77cb-11e3-b1c5-739e63e9c9a7_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.a1fa56a9ac6d
they must have forgot about Robert Gates
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/robert-gates-former-defense-secretary-offers-harsh-critique-of-obamas-leadership-in-duty/2014/01/07/6a6915b2-77cb-11e3-b1c5-739e63e9c9a7_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.a1fa56a9ac6d
they must have forgot about Robert Gates
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