Bradley Byrne supports Trump Secretary of Defense nominee

If there is one thing we know, it seems that Trump really likes the fact that Mattis” nickname is “Mad Dog, ‘ based on the relish in his voice when saying it last night and the fact that he’s referred to him as that via Twitter. Mattis retired in 2013. This is the iconic phrase that retired Marine General James Mattis is known for. The concept of civilian control of the USA military required by the law is one that dates to the nation’s earliest days and reflects the balance of powers outlined in the Constitution. “But then apparently he had a conversation with Mattis who convinced him that torture doesn’t work”, Palmeri said. “You’ll be seeing nearly all of them next week”, Trump said in an interview that aired on Friday on Fox News.

Gillibrand could require the Senate come up with 60 votes to approve a waiver, meaning at least eight democrats would have to join presumably unified Senate republicans to move the nomination to the confirmation process.

In order to confirm Mattis, Congress would have to change a law that prevents those who have been on active military duty within the last seven years from serving in the civilian post.

If he’s approved, Mattis would be the highest-ranking former officer to serve as defense secretary. He served multiple combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Though the details surrounding his retirement as commander of Central Command are murky, it’s believed that Mattis may have been ushered out of his position several months early due to his hawkish stance on Iran.

Coerr told Fox News that Mattis was an “on the ground, living in the dirt” commander, and a very deep thinker.

“He said, ‘I’ve never found it to be useful, ‘” Trump told the Times, “‘Give me a pack of cigarettes and a couple of beers, and I’ll do better'”. “Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet”, he was once quoted as telling Marines in Iraq. Mattis has publicly criticized Russian Federation, and Trump has credited him with raising persuasive arguments against water-boarding, a harsh interrogation technique the president-elect has said should be brought back. If confirmed by the US Senate, Mattis would replace outgoing Defence Secretary Ashton Carter. “General Mattis will provide great leadership to the Department of Defense and President-elect Trump will find his advice to be invaluable”.

Erin Simpson, a national security consultant and senior editor at WarontheRocks.com, said the incoming administration may be trying to capitalize on public respect for the military by considering so many generals. “He has real-world experience combined with a keen intellect”.

Meantime, Macquarie analyst Andrew DeGasperi wrote in a note Thursday that the selection of Mattis could lift demand for intelligence due to the former general’s “views on re-engaging the U.S. Military globally”.