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After criticism, Trump pushes out

Mattis sooner than planned

Continued from Front likely led to Mattis leaving tinue to serve as directed
earlier than planned. by the president, and the
Mattis resigned in protest “When President Obama Department of Defense will
over Trump’s decision to ingloriously fired Jim Mat- remain focused on the de-
pull all U.S. troops out of tis, I gave him a second fense of the nation,” Buc-
Syria. U.S. officials, howev- chance. Some thought cino said on Sunday.
er, said that the reaction to I shouldn’t, I thought I It is unusual for the Penta-
his decision to leave — in- should,” Trump tweeted gon to have an acting sec-
In this Sept. 21, 2018, file photo, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis cluding the shock and dis- Saturday, foreshadowing retary of defense. Histori-
speaks during the 2018 POW/MIA National Recognition Day may expressed on Capitol his displeasure and the Sun- cally when a secretary has
Ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington.
Associated Press Hill — annoyed Trump and day announcement. He resigned, he has stayed
also fumed over the media on until a successor is con-
coverage of his Syria with- firmed. For example, when
drawal order, suggesting Chuck Hagel was told to
he should be popular for resign in November 2014,
bringing troops home. he stayed in office until Ash
“With me, hit hard instead Carter was confirmed the
by the Fake News Media. following February.
Crazy!” Trump tweeted. While Mattis’ resigna-
A White House official said tion followed Trump’s an-
Trump decided Mattis nouncement that he would
should leave the adminis- soon pull all of the approxi-
tration earlier than planned mately 2,000 U.S. troops out
to avoid a drawn-out tran- of Syria, officials said that
sition when someone on the decision was the result
hand whom they consider of an accumulation of dis-
a qualified deputy capa- agreements.
ble of running the Penta- In a stunning resignation
gon in an acting capacity. letter, Mattis made clear
The official, who asked not he did not see eye to eye
to be identified publicly dis- with a president who has
cussing personnel matters, expressed disdain for NATO
said it made sense to have and doubts about keep-
a quicker transition and not ing troops in Asia. Mat-
create problems. tis was also unhappy with
The official said Mattis was Trump’s order to develop
notified of Trump’s wishes plans to pull out up to half
prior to today’s tweeted of the 14,000 U.S. forces in
announcement. Afghanistan. Earlier Sun-
Lt. Col. Joseph Buccino, a day, Trump’s acting chief
spokesman for Shanahan, of staff said that Trump had
said the former Boeing Co. known for “quite some time
executive will accept the now” that he and Mattis
appointment as acting “did not share some of the
secretary. same philosophies ... have
“Deputy Secretary will con- the same world view.”q