As the Syria withdrawal decision continues to draw furor from conservatives, Trump just announced that Defense Sec. James Mattis will “retire” at the end of February. Update to follow shortly….
UPDATE via NPR:
Defense Secretary James Mattis, a living Marine Corps legend who made history by securing special permission from Congress to lead the Pentagon, is stepping down after a slow freeze-out by President Trump.
Mattis’ departure completes a near-wholesale shake-up of Trump’s initial national security team and follows a record-setting series of departures of administration leaders so early in a presidency.
Of Trump’s initial top national security or diplomatic policy advisers, only Secretary of State Mike Pompeo — who began as CIA director — and United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley remain — and Haley is set to depart the administration soon as well.
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….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 20, 2018
….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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 20, 2018