Ex-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis
Calls Trump a Constitutional Threat In a statement published in 'The Atlantic,'
the retired Marine General intensely criticized
Trump's handling of nationwide protests. Mattis also voiced his support for protesters,
whom he says are seeking equal justice. Mattis, who resigned in late 2018, added that
the president only seeks to divide the country. Jim Mattis, via
'The Atlantic' Jim Mattis, via
'The Atlantic' Mattis also referenced the forceful
removal of peaceful White House protesters
before Trump visited a church for a photo op. Jim Mattis, via
'The Atlantic' Jim Mattis, via
'The Atlantic' Mattis adds that actions taken
against the D.C. protesters were
an "abuse of authority." He goes on to write that
focus should not be on a
"small number of lawbreakers." Mattis also said that U.S. cities
shouldn't be seen as
battle areas for the military. U.S. governors, he explains, should be the only
ones to request military action on rare occasions. Trump has since responded, calling Mattis
"the world's most overrated General," in a tweet.