President Trump Says He Supports Defense Secretary Despite Democrat Remark

Secretary Mattis has been extremely apolitical which in today’s partisan political environment is an extreme rarity:

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said President Donald Trump has reassured him of his full support after the Republican president described his Pentagon chief as “sort of a Democrat” who could leave the administration.

Mattis, speaking to reporters before landing in Vietnam on Tuesday, said he received the reassurance from Trump in a phone call during his nearly 20-hour flight from Washington.

“(Trump) said, ‘I’m 100 percent with you’,” Mattis recounted, playing down Trump’s remarks to CBS’ “60 Minutes,” which aired on Sunday.

Asked whether he was a Democrat, as Trump suggested, Mattis, disclosed that he had not registered as a Democrat or a Republican.

“I have never registered for any political party,” said Mattis, a retired Marine general.

Mattis sought to portray national defense as an issue above partisan politics. He also pointed to a long military career that taught him to act in a “proudly apolitical” manner, in which U.S. servicemembers carry out orders from Republican and Democratic presidents alike.

Mattis said he did not talk to Trump about leaving his job and dismissed speculation he was being pushed out.

“I’m on his team. We have never talked about me leaving. And as you can see right here, we are on our way (to Asia). We just continue doing our job,” Mattis said.  [Reuters]

You can read more at the link, but I hope Secretary Mattis gets to stay at the Pentagon for as long as possible.

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Liz
Liz
5 years ago

“You can read more at the link, but I hope Secretary Mattis gets to stay at the Pentagon for as long as possible.”

+100

setnaffa
setnaffa
5 years ago

Add me in for another thumbs up…

johnhenry
johnhenry
5 years ago

Mattis said “Trump is 100% behind” him. Yeah, that’s when to worry, when a back-stabber is standing behind you.

2ID Doc
2ID Doc
5 years ago

General Mattis is doing the job of Secretary of Defense as it should be focusing on US defense and not buying into mechanations at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Mcgeehee
Mcgeehee
5 years ago

Worst SECDEF ever: Les Aspen.

Liz
Liz
5 years ago

“Worst SECDEF ever: Les Aspen.”
I don’t disagree exactly….but I’m not so sure.
The competition is very steep for that award.

setnaffa
setnaffa
5 years ago

As for worst, I’m gonna have to go with Jimmy Carter’s boy, Harold Brown.

Ole Tanker
Ole Tanker
5 years ago

Mattis is the Man! Now he gets to secure the southern Border. Every General wants a challenging mission to excel in!

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