Amidst growing chaos in Washington over President Donald Trump's withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria and a looming government shutdown, the President announced via Twitter that Secretary of Defense James Mattis would be leaving the Trump administration.
General Jim Mattis will be retiring, with distinction, at the end of February, after having served my Administratio… https://t.co/PqB9L51hvN— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1545344467.0
....equipment. General Mattis was a great help to me in getting allies and other countries to pay their share of mi… https://t.co/2zN0SZW7dO— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1545344467.0
While the President made the distinction that Secretary Mattis retired, his resignation letter paints a different picture.
The letter indicated that the decision wasn't a retirement at all, but an apparently self-imposed removal, in which Secretary Mattis told the President that he deserved a Secretary of Defense whose views were more aligned with his own. The startling letter even gave Republican Senator Marco Rubio (FL) pause.
Just read Gen. Mattis resignation letter. It makes it abundantly clear that we are headed towards a series of grave… https://t.co/vUOuJVRr57— Marco Rubio (@Marco Rubio) 1545348366.0
Mattis—whose foreign policy and military experience spans decades—was seen as a safeguard against a mercurial President whose diplomatic decisions slough precedent and procedure.
Now, attorney George Conway (husband to Presidential advisor Kellyanne Conway) is pointing out a chilling aspect of Mattis's resignation letter.
Not a word of praise for Trump. Speaks volumes. https://t.co/WxbVbWLy5s— George Conway (@George Conway) 1545345844.0
No pro forma “it has been a privilege to have worked with you to [something],“ or formulaic “I am proud that we wer… https://t.co/FA1rXikflf— George Conway (@George Conway) 1545347580.0
The nicest line: “Dear Mr. President.”— George Conway (@George Conway) 1545347749.0
Notably, the letter doesn't include even standard cordial praise for the President, bolstering the fear that Mattis's decades of experience have been ignored.
What Mattis didn't say spoke volumes to Americans watching with dread.
@gtconway3d @SykesCharlie It’s almost as if Mattis doesn’t have any respect for him.— Molly Jong-Fast (@Molly Jong-Fast) 1545346297.0
@gtconway3d This letter is devastating! Pretty much “I believe we should treat our allies with respect and you trea… https://t.co/oNSBLELpK0— AliciaM (@AliciaM) 1545346443.0
@gtconway3d And certainly no: “It has been an honor to serve You.”— MaryCade Mandus (@MaryCade Mandus) 1545351319.0
@gtconway3d It’s full of condemnation for Trump’s world view, strategy and actions.— Left Crew Politics (@Left Crew Politics) 1545348039.0
@gtconway3d God help us all they are starting to run from the mad man !— NanVet (@NanVet) 1545346217.0
Without Mattis to advise the President, Americans are becoming fearful.
@gtconway3d God help us all they are starting to run from the mad man !— NanVet (@NanVet) 1545346217.0
@gtconway3d Hope Mattis took the nuclear football with him. God help us all.— #PerspiringBarista (@#PerspiringBarista) 1545346495.0
And that was just the beginning.The incessant exits of Trump officials have been a running joke since shortly after his inauguration, but a position as vital as the Secretary of Defense being vacated is sending alarm bells throughout the country.
Some are imploring Vice President Mike Pence and remaining cabinet members to invoke the 25th amendment and remove Trump from office.
@gtconway3d He needs to be removed. Our country is too vulnerable and we are losing exceptional people.— Scott Cantin (@Scott Cantin) 1545352710.0
@gtconway3d invoke the 25th already, what the hell are they waiting for ?!?!?— Josh Wenger (@Josh Wenger) 1545349420.0
@gtconway3d It's time to be alarmed. I feel afraid. I've been angry so far but I'm now scared for our country. #25thAmendmentNow— YesJoyceIsMyLastName (@YesJoyceIsMyLastName) 1545351777.0
@gtconway3d invoke the 25th already, what the hell are they waiting for ?!?!?— Josh Wenger (@Josh Wenger) 1545349420.0
@gtconway3d The Donald has become a walking 25th amendment case.— BJR (@BJR) 1545359912.0
@gtconway3d It’s time for the 25th Amendment or perhaps a 302? Circus at the @WhiteHouse— MAR-A-LAGO Comedy (@MAR-A-LAGO Comedy) 1545359172.0
@gtconway3d Can we create a GoFundMe campaign to invoke the 25th Amendment? https://t.co/Hon8yZp3v3— The Moscow Turtle (@The Moscow Turtle) 1545346559.0
At this point, it's unlikely that the 25th Amendment would be invoked. The nation will have to find a way to protect itself.