BEVERLY HILLS, December 21, (THEWILL) – The United States of America Secretary of Defense, General James Mattis, resigned on Thursday after what appeared to be disagreement with President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw American forces from Syria and his rejection of international alliances.
The Defense Secretary in his resignation letter said Trump deserves a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned with his.
Mattis who has served as Trump’s defense secretary since the start of his administration said, “I have been privileged to serve as our country’s 26th Secretary of Defense which has allowed me to serve alongside our men and women of the Department in defense of our citizens and our ideals.
“I am proud of the progress that has been made over the past two years on some of the key goals articulated in our National Defense Strategy: putting the Department on a more sound budgetary footing, improving readiness and lethality in our forces, and our reforming the Department’s business practices for greater performances. Our troops continue to provide the capabilities needed to prevail in conflict and sustain strong U.S. global influence.”
Mattis said he believes strong international alliances need to be made and allies must be respected to protect the country’s interest.
“One core belief I have always held is that strength as a nation is inextricably linked to the strength of our unique and comprehensive system of alliances and partnerships while the US remains the indispensable nation in the free world, we cannot protect our interests or serve that role effectively without maintaining strong alliances and showing respect to those allies.
“Like you, I have said from the beginning that the armed forces of the United States should not be the policeman of the world. Instead, we must use all tools of American power to provide for the common Defense, including providing effective leadership to our alliances.
“NATO’s 29 democracies demonstrated that strength in their commitment to fighting alongside us following the 9-11 attack on America. The Defeat-ISIS coalition of 74 nations is further proof.
“Similarly, I believe we must be resolute and unambiguous in our approach to those countries whose strategic interests are increasingly in tension with ours. It is clear that China and Russia, for example, want to shape a world consistent with their authoritarian model – gaining veto authority over the nation’s economic, diplomatic, and security decisions – to promote their own interests at the expense of their neighbours, America and our allies. That is why we must use all the tools of American power to provide for the common Defense.
“My views on treating allies with respect and also being clear-eyed about both malign actors and strategic competitors are strongly held and informed by over four decades of immersion in these issues.
“We must do everything possible to advance an international order that is most conducive to our security, prosperity and values, and we are strengthened in this effort by the solidarity of our alliances,” he continued.
The Defense Secretary said he has decided to step down from his position because President Trump has a right to an adviser who’s always on the same page with him on issues.
“Because you have the right to have a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned with yours on these and other subjects, I believe it is right for me to step down from my position. The end date for my tenure is February 28, 2019, a date that should allow sufficient time for a successor to be nominated and confirmed as well as to make sure the Department’s interests are properly articulated and protected at upcoming events to include congressional posture hearings and the NATO Defense Ministerial meeting in February.
“Further, that a full transition to a new Secretary of Defense occurs well in advance of the transition of Chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff in September in order to ensure stability within the Department.
“I pledge my full effort to a smooth transition that ensures the needs and interests of the 2.15 million Service Members and 732,079 DoD civilians receive undistracted attention of the Department at all times so that they can fulfil their critical, round-the-clock mission to protect the American people.
“I very much appreciate this opportunity to serve the nation and our men and women in uniform,” Mattis concluded.
President Donald Trump in a pair of tweets on the micro-blogging website, Twitter, appreciated General Jim Mattis for serving with distinction as Defense Secretary and disclosed a new Secretary of Defense would be announced shortly.
“General Jim Mattis will be retiring, with distinction, at the end of February, after having served my Administration as Secretary of Defense for the past two years.
“During Jim’s tenure, tremendous progress has been made, especially with respect to the purchase of new fighting equipment.
“General Mattis was a great help to me in getting allies and other countries to pay their share of military obligations.
“A new Secretary of Defense will be named shortly. I greatly thank Jim for his service!”
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