Director of National Intelligence 'deeply saddened' by Mattis resignation
By REBECCA MORIN
12/21/2018 11:01 AM EST
Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said Friday that he was "deeply saddened" by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis's announcement on Thursday that he plans to retire early next year.
"The experience and sound judgement that Secretary Mattis has brought to our decision-making process is invaluable," Coats said in a statement. "His leadership of our military won the admiration of our troops and respect of our allies and adversaries."
Coats's statement comes one day after Mattis unexpectedly offered his resignation to President Donald Trump, criticizing the president's often antagonistic military and foreign policies and writing that the president has a "right to have a secretary of defense whose views are better aligned with yours." The president earlier this week announced plans to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria, a decision made against the advice of Mattis and other national security advisers.
Mattis, a retired four-star Marine Corps general, will stay on until through the end of February.
Coats wrote that he "had the unique privilege" to work with Mattis through the national security team, and was "deeply saddened to learn the news."
Gen Mattis wanted Dan Coats for DNI
Sauce:
https://www.politico.com/amp/story/2018/12/21/national-intelligence-director-mattis-resignation-1073154?__twitter_impression=true