Mattis, a 68-year-old retired Marine Corps general, was widely viewed as a stabilizing influence within an often chaotic White House.
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said in a tweet that Mattis’ loss “makes it abundantly clear that we are headed towards a series of grave policy errors which will endanger our nation, damage our alliances & empower our adversaries.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., reacted to the news “with great sadness,” saying in a tweet that Mattis is “one of the great military leaders in American history.”
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said Mattis’ departure “is a real loss for our nation, our troops, and this Administration.”
House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said in a statement that “the House is indebted to Secretary Mattis for his service.”
Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, praised Mattis as a patriot who “always put the country above self and represents the very best of America.”
House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi, in an evening press conference, said she was “shaken” by the news of Mattis’ decision to step down. He is “a comfort to many of us as a voice of stability in the Trump administration,” she said.
“This is very serious for our country,” Pelosi continued.
Mattis’ celebrated military career spanned four decades. Prior to joining Trump’s Cabinet, the four-star general was the head of U.S. Central Command, which directs military operations and oversaw the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He was known before and during his White House tenure for his even-keeled demeanor and strategic mind and is broadly held in high esteem among Republicans and Democrats alike.
“I’m shaken by the news because of the patriot that Secretary Mattis is,” said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., on Capitol Hill on Thursday night. “This is very serious for our country.”
Mattis was also famed for his prolific reading habit, to which he has attributed his leadership success.
The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment on the president’s announcement. A press officer for the Pentagon told CNBC, “I have nothing to provide.”
from Viral News Updates http://bit.ly/2EDai5h
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