Here is US Defence Secretary James Mattis’ resignation letter to Donald Trump, in full
- James Mattis says his ‘views on treating allies with respect and also being clear-eyed about both malign actors and strategic competitors are strongly held’
- He tells Trump he is quitting ‘because you have the right to have a Secretary of Defence whose views are better aligned with yours on these and other subjects’
US Defence Secretary James Mattis sent the following letter to US President Donald Trump on Thursday as he stepped down from his post.
“Dear Mr President:
I have been privileged to serve as our country’s 26th Secretary of Defence which has allowed me to serve alongside our men and women of the Department in defence of our citizens and our ideals.
I am proud of the progress that has been made over the past two years on some of the key goals articulated in our National Defence Strategy: putting the Department on a more sound budgetary footing, improving readiness and lethality in our forces, and reforming the Department’s business practices for greater performance. Our troops continue to provide the capabilities needed to prevail in conflict and sustain strong US global influence.
We cannot protect our interests or serve that role effectively without maintaining strong alliances and showing respect to those allies
One core belief I have always held is that our strength as a nation is inextricably linked to the strength of our unique and comprehensive system of alliances and partnerships. While the US remains the indispensable nation in the free world, we cannot protect our interests or serve that role effectively without maintaining strong alliances and showing respect to those allies. Like you, I have said from the beginning that the armed forces of the United States should not be the policeman of the world. Instead, we must use all tools of American power to provide for the common defence, including providing effective leadership to our alliances. Nato’s 29 democracies demonstrated that strength in their commitment to fighting alongside us following the 9-11 attack on America. The Defeat-ISIS coalition of 74 nations is further proof.