Mattis Breaks With Trump on Russia, NATO

The retired general also goes by the name “Mad Dog” – a nickname he picked up for his approach to battles during the Iraq War. Representative Pompeo has defended so-called Enhanced Interrogation Techniques like waterboarding, and called for the National Security Administration to resume the bulk collection of telephone data from United States citizens. “Nations with strong allies thrive and those without them wither”.

“It’s not my role to comment on the president-elect’s statements, other than to say he’s serious about getting the best bang for the dollar”, Mattis said.

Retired Gen. James Mattis, testifying Thursday before the Senate Armed Services Committee, vowed to strengthen the military and boost America’s alliances if confirmed for the Defense secretary post. Cohen said Mattis should instead be known as “Braveheart”, praising his “courage”, intellectualism, and “love for his troops”.

The Senate, too, should vote on the measure Friday.

Mattis was asked interesting questions on cyberwarfare, which were especially pertinent in the wake of Russian hacks of Democratic party officials and their affect on the presidential election.

“As has always been pointed out, the secretary of defense is other than the presidency probably the most hard job in the federal government, and I would trust General Mattis as much as or more than just about anybody else”, Cohen said.

The House and Senate both have to pass bills that would waive a requirement for career military members to wait seven years from the end of their military service to take the top civilian position at the Pentagon.

Mattis intends to address the issue in his opening remarks, according to the excerpts. But the House Armed Services Committee canceled the hearing on Wednesday, angering Democrats and “disappointing” the Republican chairman, Mac Thornberry. “Civilian control of our military is a fundamental principle of American democracy, and I will not vote for an exception to this rule”.

The Palm Center is an independent research institute committed to sponsoring state-of-the-art scholarship to enhance the quality of public dialogue about critical and controversial public policy issues. “MORE (D-Wash.), who head the House Armed Services Committee, had scheduled Mattis’s testimony for Thursday ahead of the waiver vote, only to be denied by Trump’s transition team”.

Rep. Adam Smith, D-Bellevue, believes that Mattis’ failure to appear before the committee circumvents the legislative process.

But before he can be confirmed by the Senate, the House must grant the exemption, giving that chamber a rare opportunity to weigh in on Cabinet appointments.

Mattis, 66, has tried to persuade Trump privately against the use of waterboarding, which simulates drowning, as an interrogation tactic.

Blumenthal said he’s convinced Mattis would be a counterweight to Trump. In December, news of Trump’s intention to pick him for Defense secretary was commended by many, including McCain, R-Ariz.

Mr Mattis also singled out China for its activities in the South China Sea, where it has been building man-made islands with anti-aircraft and anti-missile batteries.

Mattis also served as supreme allied commander of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation for transformation – the alliance is an organization Trump has criticized throughout the campaign. Mattis retired from the Marine Corps as a four-star general in 2013.