Defense Secretary James Mattis submitted his resignation this afternoon, citing differences with Putin area manager Donald "Rump" Trump (you should read the full resignation letter here). It's a volley right into Rump's gut.
Citing American alliances in providing a common defense against authoritarian regimes in Russia and China, and the importance of treating our allies with respect, Mattis submitted his resignation saying it was, "Because you have the right to have a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned with yours on these and other and other subjects..."
Rump's history of ignoring the advice of Mattis and others in the defense and intelligence community from day 1 of his regime, culminating in the un- vetted, precipitous decision by Rump to leave Syria to the murderous Assad regime and his patron Vladimir Putin, led directly to this resignation. We're in a much more dangerous place tonight.
BONUS: Kellyanne's husband weighs in --
Not a word of praise for Trump. Speaks volumes. https://t.co/WxbVbWLy5s— George Conway (@gtconway3d) December 20, 2018
BONUS II: More reactions from right- wingers here.
Today was a minefield where every step taken could blow us apart. Mattis is widely respected across many different groups and his departure will be grave. On top of that news, Trump's outrageous blowup over the Wall vote and the plunging Stock Market made for a dramatic political disaster.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Mattis felt like it was his duty to remain, and I've heard other military leaders who said he would not resign on his own, so he was pushed out. And he said it all himself in his letter. I bet a dollar that Trump refused to read it. Too bad, because it speaks valuable truths.
Turbulent times, casting shadows over the holidays. All because of Trump.
donnah - it was quite a day/ week, with his Putin- friendly decisions, his need to be loved by his frothing base, the 17 investigations focused on his and his family's criminality and vulnerability to kompromat, etc. Anyone with their eyes and minds open saw this coming even as he glided down the golden escalator at Trump Tower in 2015.
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