Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike, along with military leaders, are reacting with sadness and concern over Defense Secretary Jim Mattis’ sudden resignation announcement.
A retired Marine Corps four-star general, Mattis is widely seen as one of the most respected members of President Trump’s Cabinet and was confirmed by the Senate on the same day as Trump’s inauguration in a near-unanimous vote.
In his resignation letter, Mattis drew a clear distinction between himself and the president. “My views on treating allies with respect and also being clear-eyed about both malign actors and strategic competitors are strongly held,” he wrote.
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