Per MSNBC, Mattis asked to leave DOD 1 Jan

[KewlKat]

Who didn’t see this coming?

Official: Mattis To Leave Jan. 1, Trump To Name Shanahan Acting Secretary

https://lex18.com/news/2018/12/23/administration-official-defense-chief-mattis-to-leave-as-of-jan-1-trump-to-name-deputy-shanahan-as-acting-secretary/

Defense chief Mattis to leave as of Jan. 1, Trump to name Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan as acting secretary.

[RHMerriman]

1. Just means he can be called to testify before Congress that much sooner.

Just means he can be called to testify before Congress that much sooner.

[Pachamama]

7. +1000

My thoughts exactly and my hope too....

In addition that if he actually is "retired" as a military officer, he is free to criticize the Commander in Chief publicly as a private citizen...

[oberliner]

2. Trump just tweeted that

[KewlKat]

3. I think someone finally broke it to the orange anu$ that the resignation

Letter was a punch in his gut. So of course he had to go. Mattis was also getting some air time and the con has to control the message.

[Eliot Rosewater]

5. Rump is a no good fucking traitor, our ENEMY and so is EVERY single person

supporting him.

you know who you are...

real patriots wont tolerate your shit much longer

count on it

(not talking to anyone here but I am talking to anyone who fits in this category, you are on notice, real patriots do exist and we will NOT allow you to give our country to Putin)

[UTUSN]

4. *was* asked. Prolly all the items about how he expected to work for President Hillary

and got SHITLER instead really really p***ed SHITLER off!1

[KewlKat]

8. That may have played a part in the con's decision to change sooner.

I forgot about that story. I’m surprised he’s still going with Mulvaney.

[Hokie]

6. Yeah, I guessed that would happen quickly

Rump doesn't take any criticism. I am sure someone explained Mattis's resignation letter for him and that was it.

[Hugin]

9. It's surprising Mattis is waiting that long.

I bet he isn't...

This is just the squishy Tangeranus trying desperately to appear in charge.

[Skraxx]

10. They Want him out because they are planning something big

Putin needs him out of the way now. What is the one thing that Putin could do now that would push us right over the brink now that we are so vulnerable? A 9/11 type event right now would be a boon to Putin and Trump.

[OnDoutside]

12. Or it could be simply that he was too cowardly to face Mattis again, at the next cabinet meeting.

[octoberlib]

11. Mattis wanted to stay until after the

NATO ministerial in Feb. to protect it. Mark my words, Trump’s gonna try to quit NATO. Also the new guy worked for Boeing for 30 years and has no geopolitical experience.

[AnotherMother4Peace]

13. "Trump moves up Mattis departure, names acting defense secretary" per MSNBC nt

Mattis was intending to stay until Feb. Trump is getting rid of him earlier.