US Spy Chief Says Mattis Brought Invaluable Experience, Judgment In Gov't. Decision Making

(@rukhshanmir)

US Spy Chief Says Mattis Brought Invaluable Experience, Judgment in Gov't. Decision Making

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st December, 2018) Outgoing Defense Secretary James Mattis' critical skills and experience were invaluable in the US government's decision-making process and he will be greatly missed upon leaving his post, Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Dan Coats said in a statement on Friday.

"The experience and judgment that [Defense] Secretary Mattis has brought to our decision-making process is invaluable," Coats said in the statement. "He will be sorely missed."

On Thursday, Mattis announced he will leave his post at the end of February 2019. In his resignation letter, Mattis said Trump deserves to pick a defense secretary whose views better align with the president's stances on key issues.

Mattis resigned after Trump announced he would pull out all US forces from Syria and after media reports emerged about possible US military withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Coats praised Mattis for the way he conducted himself, saying the defense secretary won the respect of troops and US partners as well as of adversaries.

Trump tweeted on Thursday that a new defense secretary will be named shortly, but has not yet indicated specific candidates under consideration.