Why do this? Best I can come up with is it headed off the white houseā āMattis resignedā narrative without Mattis having to go to the media to say that he did not resign, which becomes a weak āhe said/he saidā argument.
I think you are correct. It makes sense, the guy is mad as hell and all the rest.
This guy is no dummy. Not relying on POS tRumpās tweets to explain why he left. Maybe Donnie wonāt find any replacement for this position.
Mattis is going to be a very, very interesting figure in the next month or two. I do not think he plans to pack up his desk today and sit on his ass and play on his Twitterphone.
This is not some sort of breathless āomg coup!!!1ā prediction. More along the lines ofā¦ you know how many of our more rational commentators say things to the effect of āMueller is smarter than the whole Trump team put together, and if he got fired tomorrow, heās got the response to that planned out ten steps aheadā? In my estimation, the same thing is true of Mattis. Heās had two years to think about how this might have to go down, if his worst fears came true and Trump was what we know him to be.
He is still the head of Pentagon and second in chain of command. Beyond getting his version out itās still a statement of mission and values for his subordinates.
Jim Mattisās resignation letter to Donald Trump ā in full
The secretary of defense has resigned and will step down from the role at the end of February
Jim Mattis's resignation letter to Donald Trump ā in full | US politics | The Guardian
Yes, Mattis crafted that letter and that takes time. The wording is both clear and subtle, so Trump will need the disrespect explained to him.
Exactly
I just wonder for how long. He stated that he would serve until end of February, but (with the exception of Sally Yates I guess) I canāt remember any Trump appointee that was fired or made to resign to have left with such harsh criticism of Trump. Comey did not (not at the start). Tillerson waited more than six months. Trump canāt possibly let Mattis stay for two months or anything like that. Somebody said the letter was āsubtleā but I donāt think subtle is defined as being ānot vulgarā. It is a civilized letter with no profanities but I think it is about as subtle as sledge hammer wrapped in think silk cloth is a subtle instrument.
I canāt possible take two months before Trump goes ballistic on Mattis on twitter.
I think you are mostly right, but I think Mattis explaining in the letter the reasoning behind his resignation timetable may be an effective deterrent.
The question is if anybody left in the White House can explain to Donald Trump that ādeterrentā isnāt the thing with the big gun on top of the tank.
Articulate and subtle are not the same. This was a vivisection.
I canāt see how they co-exist until February 28th, either.
Mattis is an educated and experienced warrior, who has studied conflict resolution scenarios more than Trump has picked his nose. His loyalty is to the United States of America, and to the Office of the President. If anyone can think ten moves ahead it is he. (And Muller, but both are Marines, so it really should go without saying. Marines are not āAnimal Motherā.)
Maybe now that Mattis did the right thing, maybe now Tillerson,Kelly and the rest will make a stand and force otherās to inform our country about the grandest attack on our Constitution in our life times and who is pulling Trumpās strings.
Agree, this is a good letter, it must have some impact.
Memo To: US DoD and armed forces
From: Sec. Mattis
You are hereby advised that your C-in-C is a traitor who is in breach of his constitutional duties. Please plan and act accordingly.
I have complex feelings towards Mattis and the withdrawls.
In a normal world I would say Mattis is an experienced and intelligent defense expert who I disagree with on most areas. He is a hawk who thinks we should be bombing more and be involved in every conflict we can. In this administration he is a voice of sanity who believes in the general outlines of post-WWII foreign policy. I am really disappointed he is leaving as he provided a stabilizing buffer between Trump and the Military.
I agree with getting out of Syria and Afganistan. But announcing via tweet that we will be out in a month is horrible implementation of that policy. It frightens me how much damage Trump could do to our global position, allies and the integrity of the Military.
Itās about telling the troops (all levels of DoD) and the allies exactly why he is resigning. Itās what Mattis would do with any CO who was instructing him to violate Rules of Engagement or engage in illegal behavior.
Endorsed.
Nope.