Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • NPR

    Defense Secretary Mattis Resigns Amid Syria And Afghanistan Tension

    The retired Marine general had been granted a rare waiver to run the Pentagon as he had been out of uniform for only three years, but his relationship with President Trump eventually turned cold.
    by Philip Ewing Dec 20, 2018 5 minutes

    Updated at 10:45 p.m. ET

    Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, a living Marine Corps legend who made history by securing special permission from Congress to lead the Pentagon, is stepping down after a slow freeze-out by President Trump.

    Drift between the two men reached a point at which Mattis objected so strongly to the president's policy choices that he opted to resign rather than go along.

    The final break appeared to be over major withdrawals of American forces from Syria and Afghanistan, which Trump ordered over the objections of his national security advisers, including Mattis.

    The president announced via Twitter Thursday evening that Mattis was retiring in February. Shortly after, the Pentagon released a letter of resignation from Mattis to Trump.

    "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,".

    You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

    More from NPR

    NPR3 min readAmerican Government
    In W. Va. Primary, Establishment Candidates For Governor Highlight Culture War Issues
    Several Republicans with deep ties to state politics vye in the primary to face the Democrat in November
    NPR3 min read
    Justice Thomas Decries 'Nastiness' And 'Lies' Against Him
    The Supreme Court justice told attendees at a judicial conference that he and his wife have faced "nastiness" and "lies" over the last several years and decried Washington as a "hideous place."
    NPR4 min readWorld
    In Gaza, A Hidden Threat Could Kill Palestinians Even After A Cease-fire
    The United Nations says 7,500 metric tons of unexploded ordnance litter the Gaza Strip. The U.N. says it could take 14 years to dispose of these dangers.

    Related Books & Audiobooks