Trump nominates “Mad Dog” James Mattis as Defense Secretary

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Trump nominates "Mad Dog" James Mattis as Defense Secretary

Donald Trump announced his choice of Defense Secretary at a boisterous victory rally in Cincinnati.

CCTV’s Daniel Ryntjes reports.
Follow Daniel Ryntjes on Twitter @danielryntjes

General James Mattis has acquired his tough warrior reputation through words and action, once offering the advice “Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet.”

He led the first Marines into Afghanistan in 2001 and then again to Iraq in 2003, describing combat as a “hoot.”

Mattis is also known as a clever and prudent tactician and a scholar of ancient history.

Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who met with Donald Trump earlier today, said Mattis was a “terrific” choice.

Congressional Republicans are also on board.

U.S. Representative Adam Kinzinger (R) said, “And you see people that have worked for James Mattis and they said they would follow this guy into hell because he would do the same for them. That’s the kind of leader the defense department needs. ”

Mattis is a former head of U.S. Central Command, where among his responsibilities was managing tensions between U.S. and Iranian forces in the Persian Gulf.

He resigned from the Obama administration, criticizing what he saw as weak leadership and a weak deal with Iran.

However, his advice now is to stick with the deal, but ensure tough enforcement.

Some Democrats say Trump shouldn’t be picking a military leader in a job normally reserved for a civilian. The President-elect will need additional Congressional support to back a special waiver enabling his nomination.


P.J. Crowley on Trump’s Secretary of Defense James Mattis

For a detailed look at the implication of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump choosing retired General “Mad Dog” James Mattis as Secretary of Defense, CCTV America’s Asieh Namdar spoke with P.J. Crowley, Former Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State.