O Matisovom odlasku spekulisalo se od srede, pošto je Tramp najavio povlačenje američkih snaga iz Sirije uprkos protivljenju američkih saveznika i visokih vojnih zvaničnika, preneo je Tanjug.
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) 20. decembar 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) 20. decembar 2018.
Matis je u svom pismu ostavke naveo da se povlači kako bi Tramp mogao da dobije ministra odbrane čiji stavovi će mu biti bliži, prenosi Rojters.
Sam Tramp najavio je da će ubrzo imenovati novog ministra odbrane.