Defense Secretary Jim Mattis’ impending departure shook an already tense Capitol on Thursday night, with lawmakers in both parties reacting with concern over what Mattis’ departure means for both Trump’s administration, and the international community.
In a letter announcing his resignation, Mattis implicitly criticized President Donald Trump’s military judgment, suggested the president was not treating allies with respect, and had not been “clear-eyed” about those who would do the U.S. harm.
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, called Mattis “an island of stability amidst the chaos of the Trump administration.” Mattis, in his letter, said he would depart at the end of February.
“This is scary,” Warner tweeted.
“This is a sad day for America because Secretary Mattis was giving advice the President needs to hear,” Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., said in a statement.
What Are Your Thoughts?
