President-elect Donald Trump has chosen retired Marine Gen. James N. Mattis to be secretary of defense, according to people familiar with the decision, nominating a former senior military officer who led operations across the Middle East to run the Pentagon less than four years after he hung up his uniform.
To take the job, Mattis will need Congress to pass new legislation to bypass a federal law stating that defense secretaries must not have been on active duty in the previous seven years. Congress has granted a similar exception just once, when Gen. George C. Marshall was appointed to the job in 1950.
An announcement is likely by early next week, according to the people familiar with the choice.
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7 Responses
So maybe just maybe Trump isn’t the greatest thing for Israel. Maybe this will have a much needed sobering effect on the overly excited Trump supporters.
This is very bad news.
I am a Trump supporter, but I am very disgusted with this pick.
SecState more important for Israel relations than SECDEF. If this guy says one peep against Israel he’ll be shouted down in cabinet.
Nice try guys.you have no clue
Would commenters nos. 1 and/or 2 explain what is wrong with Gen. Mattis? This is not a rhetorical question, I know nothing about him, and both of you seem to think he is a disaster, whereas I think the guy who appointed him is the disaster.
The entire political landscape turned upside down. Everyone sees things differently. But “1.,2. and3.” keep busy judging who’s pro-Israel or not because you’ll always be behind with Trump in office. Generals Flyn and Mattis are two esteemed Generals who saw their men dying at the hands of Iranian terror, money, and weapons. Just like Israel loses their people. They, along with Pompeo will nip the Iranian plan in the bud with real determination and strength. Israel will prosper while Iran, Syria, Qatar, and Hizbollah will be digging underground Bunkers to hide.
1. What is anyone’s objection to him?
2. We have never picked a top field commander as Secretary of Defense, but then again, we never had a president who was a businessman with no military experience. Trump may be expected to try something “new” in all areas.