Consider: It is SecDef’s last major public statement. He wants to note his disagreements w/ @realDonaldTrump but did so respectfully, aware that @POTUS is his C-in-C. The media generally could learn from restraint in the letter, and in how to frame arguments. Not personal.
It seems 2 me SecDef Mattis served @realDonaldTrump not because of shared beliefs —he and @POTUS disagreed on #JCPOA, #ParisAccords, response to Syrian WMD— but out of sense of duty. I deeply admire that though I think the General ought to have talked with media much, much more.
Like SecDef Rumsfeld, SecDef Mattis disdained role of educating public. It’s now among the key SecDef roles: Why are U.S. forces where they are? What is the mission? Why should they stay at this cost? Persuasion was a hallmark of Washington. I hope next SecDef adopts that goal.
