US Defense Secretary resigns over disagreement with Trump
Trump praised Mattis's work, saying he would leave office in February 2019 and the White House would soon announce a replacement.
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Secretary Mattis (right) in a meeting with Trump in early 2018. Photo:AFP |
"Because you have the right to have a Secretary of Defense who shares your views on world affairs, I believe it is time for me to step down,"Reutersciting the content of the letter sent by US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis to US President Donald Trump yesterday.
Mattis' decision came shortly after Trump unexpectedly announced that he had defeated the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) militants and would soon withdraw troops from Syria. The US defense secretary asserted that his views on supporting traditional alliances and being ready to fight "malicious elements" were not in line with the US President's perspective.
The White House boss then praised the Pentagon chief's work, saying Secretary Mattis would retire "with distinction at the end of February next year."
"We have made great progress during Jim's tenure, especially in purchasing new equipment. General Mattis has been very helpful in getting our allies to meet their obligations. The new Secretary of Defense will be announced soon. I thank Jim for his service," Trump wrote on Twitter.
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Mattis on a foreign trip in late 2017. Photo:Reuters. |
Secretary Mattis' departure does not seem to be a surprise, especially since the US President has repeatedly ignored his advice. Trump's decision to withdraw more than 2,000 US troops from Syria is considered the last straw, as Mattis had warned that leaving Syria too soon would be a "strategic mistake." Trump and Mattis have also disagreed on many issues such as the Iran nuclear deal and the establishment of the Space Force.
Jim Mattis is the 26th US Secretary of Defense, a former Marine Corps general. After his election, Trump announced that Mattis would be nominated to head the Pentagon. The US Senate voted 98-1 on this proposal on January 20, 2017.
