Trump Again Slams Defense Secretary Mattis On Twitter: He 'Did Not See' The Problem That I Do
- 5 years ago
President Trump on Monday defended himself amid the widespread criticism he’s faced since Defense Secretary James Mattis resigned in protest on Thursday.
President Trump on Monday defended himself amid the widespread criticism over Defense Secretary James Mattis' resignation. He said in a series of tweets: "To those few Senators who think I don't like or appreciate being allied with other countries, they are wrong, I DO. What I don't like, however, is when many of these same countries take advantage of their friendship with the United States, both in Military Protection and Trade." "We are substantially subsidizing the Militaries of many VERY rich countries all over the world, while at the same time these countries take total advantage of the U.S., and our TAXPAYERS, on Trade. General Mattis did not see this as a problem," Trump continued. "I DO, and it is being fixed!" Notably, the president announced on Sunday that Mattis will be replaced at the start of the new year, roughly two months earlier than anticipated. According to the New York Times, the move was prompted by Trump's anger over days of negative media coverage which largely viewed Mattis' resignation letter "as a rebuke of the president."
In the letter to Trump, Mattis writes: "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."
"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," he goes on to say.
President Trump on Monday defended himself amid the widespread criticism over Defense Secretary James Mattis' resignation. He said in a series of tweets: "To those few Senators who think I don't like or appreciate being allied with other countries, they are wrong, I DO. What I don't like, however, is when many of these same countries take advantage of their friendship with the United States, both in Military Protection and Trade." "We are substantially subsidizing the Militaries of many VERY rich countries all over the world, while at the same time these countries take total advantage of the U.S., and our TAXPAYERS, on Trade. General Mattis did not see this as a problem," Trump continued. "I DO, and it is being fixed!" Notably, the president announced on Sunday that Mattis will be replaced at the start of the new year, roughly two months earlier than anticipated. According to the New York Times, the move was prompted by Trump's anger over days of negative media coverage which largely viewed Mattis' resignation letter "as a rebuke of the president."
In the letter to Trump, Mattis writes: "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."
"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," he goes on to say.