How are we to trust an ex-Boeing exec??? Trump's agenda and who else's?
New Acting SecDef Shanahan Pledges to Carry Out Trump's Policy Agenda
In contrast to now former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, new Acting Secretary Patrick Shanahan pledged Tuesday that he would work with the military leadership to carry out President Donald Trump's policy agenda on national security issues without pushback.
In a three-paragraph statement for release early Tuesday, Shanahan twice stressed that there would be no daylight between him and Trump on the Syrian withdrawal or other issues that led to Mattis' resignation.
Shanahan said that he was looking forward to "working with President Trump to carry out his vision alongside strong leaders including the service secretaries, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the combatant commanders, and senior personnel in the Office of the Secretary of Defense."
Shanahan said again that "Under the direction of President Trump, the Department of Defense remains focused on safeguarding our nation." But he also paid tribute to Mattis who resigned on Dec. 20, a day after Trump made the surprise announcement that the estimated 2,000 U.S. troops in Syria would be withdrawn.
"We have deep respect for Secretary Mattis' lifetime of service, and it has been a privilege to serve as his deputy secretary," said Shanahan, a former Boeing executive who did not serve in the military and has little experience in foreign affairs or dealing with allies.
Shanahan said he would be relying on the troops to carry out his new responsibilities by remaining vigilant and steadfast in their sworn duties to service.
"The Department of Defense continues to be one of our nation's bedrock institutions," Shanahan said, and "our foundational strength lies in the remarkable men and women who volunteer to serve our country and protect our freedoms, while making immense personal sacrifice."
In his farewell message to the troops Monday, Mattis urged them to persevere in their duties, and appeared to hint at the turmoil caused by his resignation.
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2018/12/31/new-acting-secdef-shanahan-pledges-carry-out-trumps-policy-agenda.html