Defense Secretary James Mattis Resigns

23:41

Tonya Mosley

Dec 21, 2018 at

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U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis listens as U.S. President Donald Trump answers questions during a meeting with military leaders in the Cabinet Room on October 23, 2018 in Washington, DC. Trump discussed a range of issues while press were in the room including current relations with Saudi Arabia, and the use of the U.S. military in protecting the borders of the United States. (Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Defense Secretary James Mattis resigned on Thursday, writing in his resignation letter that President Trump has “a right to have a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned” with his. According to the New York Times, Mattis resigned after an unsuccessful attempt to convince the president to not pull American troops out of Syria. Forum will talk about what Mattis’s departure means for national security policy, the military and for a Trump Administration already roiled by turnover.

Guests:

Tom Bowman, national desk reporter covering the Pentagon, NPR

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