The Most Likely Replacements For Jim 'Mad Dog' Mattis
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The Most Likely Replacements For Jim 'Mad Dog' Mattis
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The backlash from President Trump's decision to withdraw all American troops from Syria has been fierce.
Secretary of Defense and former United States Marine Corps General Jim Mattis resigned in protest over the policy dispute – becoming the first Cabinet official in 40 years to do so.
Mattis is not alone at the Pentagon in his concern over the repercussions of Trump's actions in Syria.
The question becomes, who will replace him.
The president's latest unilateral decision could make that difficult.
Fox News could not find a single military commander at the Department of Defense who supported the way Trump intends to withdraw from the Middle East.
Mattis himself warned of the consequences of doing so in a recent interview:
"If we leave, 20-odd of the most dangerous terrorist groups in the world centered in that region, and we walk out of there, then we know what will happen. Our intelligence services are very specific that we will be under attack in a number of years."
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) concurs, fearing a rapid military drawdown would pave the way toward a second 9/11.
Still, there are a few qualified names that have come up as potential replacements to Trump's "Mad Dog."
While some are traditional, others like #2, #3 will surprise you. Be sure to click through to the end!
Read more at http://americanactionnews.com/articles/the-most-likely-replacements-for-jim-mad-dog-mattis#hSWPmUTpqGBkLigu.99
1.) Retired Army Gen. Jack Keane
The Army's former vice chief of staff is a famous hawk known these days for his Fox News appearances as a national security analyst.
Keane has the expertise and military background most valued by Trump.
However, there are signs of deep policy disagreements between the two leaders, as there were with the president and Mattis.
Trump recently contemplated trimming the defense budget by $700 billion, a move Keane warned, "would be a huge mistake."
He's also known for not liking Mick Mulvaney, Trump's fiscally conservative budget director and acting White House chief of staff.
Yesterday Keane said he agreed with Mattis in opposing Trump's Syria decision – arguing our Kurdish allies will be slaughtered as soon as the U.S. military leaves.
SEE VIDEO http://americanactionnews.com/articles/1-retired-army-gen-jack-keane#P2QKvoPWK43WJjOo.99
2.) Sen. Tom Cotton
2018-12-21 Source: AAN by: AAN Staff
The 41-year-old Arkansas Senator has made a name for himself in his four years on the Armed Services and Intelligence committees.
Insiders consider him one of Washington's biggest defense hawks. Cotton also earned his reputation as one of President Obama's leading foreign policy critics.
A combat veteran, who served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Arkansas Republican has also been mentioned as a future pick for CIA director.
His path to confirmation is tenuous, given his unpopularity with his Senate colleagues.
SEE VIDEO: http://americanactionnews.com/articles/2-sen-tom-cotton#5YpmPhViBAW7OjbK.99
3.) Sen. Lindsey Graham
2018-12-21 Source: AAN by: AAN Staff
With the passing of his mentor, Sen. McCain, Graham became the most prominent hawk in Washington, D.C.
Graham didn't support Trump's White House run. He has since transitioned from outspoken critic to one of the president's most vocal defenders.
Still, Graham – like Mattis – has divergent views with Trump on foreign policy.
Their differences may prove irreconcilable after Trump's sudden decision to withdraw from Syria.
SEE VIDEO: http://americanactionnews.com/articles/3-sen-lindsey-graham#9IuyIwBJy4PAkRVW.99
4.) Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan
2018-12-21 Source: AAN by: AAN Staff
During his tenure at DoD, Shanahan has enthusiastically supported Trump's proposed Space Force.
As a former Boeing executive, he may provide a perspective on U.S. military obligations that more closely resembles the president's – as opposed to a retired general.
5.) Former Sen. Jim Talent
2018-12-21 Source: AAN by: AAN Staff
A Missouri Republican, Talent lost his seat in 2006's blue wave to a then little-known state auditor named Claire McCaskill.
Despite an extended break from public service, he has an impressive curriculum vitae.
Talent served on the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission making him an expert on the Middle East, Asia, national security, and trade.
At the same time, his political fortunes have changed since 2016. When Talent was last in the running, he enjoyed the support of incoming White House chief of staff Reince Priebus.
Priebus left the administration 18 months ago.
SEE VIDEO; http://americanactionnews.com/articles/5-former-sen-jim-talent#eQhSbGBR3Ae4vcO2.99
6.) Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats
2018-12-21 Source: AAN by: AAN Staff
After leaving a safe Indiana Senate seat to oversee the nation's intelligence community, Coats has kept his head down.
He's clashed, albeit diplomatically, with Trump in taking a harder line on Russia over its attempts to interfere in 2016's presidential election.
Trump may think less of him these days after he reportedly mocked the president for inviting Russian President Vladimir Putin to the White Hou