There’s a definite pattern to Trump’s response to criticism. No matter how much everyone saw the criticism, he either insists that the person criticizing him is a terrible and ignorant person, anyway, or he lies and says that he won the feud.
"Obama fired him and essentially so did I," said Trump.
But Mattis wasn't fired. He resigned because he rejected Trump’s entire worldview https://t.co/JINlO1Z4YS pic.twitter.com/ZjUtGv78hI
— Bloomberg Opinion (@bopinion) January 2, 2019
He followed that same pattern during a Wednesday press conference by saying that he “essentially fired” Jim Mattis. He didn’t. Mattis resigned. Another of Trump’s patterns has been appointing people to top offices while praising them (and himself) because they’re great people who will do a great job. Once they’re gone, he says that they’re “failed generals,” “dogs,” “kooks,” and “lazy.”
If he believes all of these things about the people he’s appointing, why does he appoint them in the first place?
President Trump says he "essentially" fired former Defense Secretary James Mattis: "I wish him well, I hope he does well" pic.twitter.com/Z41Uv91Suv
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) January 2, 2019
The lie about his defense secretary is so easily debunked, it’s unbelievable that Trump would try to change the narrative now. Mattis’ resignation letter reads:
‘I believe it is right for me to step down from my position. The end date for my tenure is February 28, 2019, a date that should allow sufficient time for a successor to be nominated and confirmed as well as to make sure the Department’s interests are properly articulated and protected at upcoming events to include Congressional posture hearings and the NATO Defense Ministerial meeting in February. Further, that a full transition to a new Secretary of Defense occurs well in advance of the transition of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in September in order to ensure stability Within the Department.’
Trump says he would have made a 'good general' while trashing Mattis' service and claiming he really fired him: 'What's he done for me? How had he done in Afghanistan? Not too good' https://t.co/2B7TQIiVwB pic.twitter.com/Ji2tMjjENm
— Yahoo News (@YahooNews) January 2, 2019
Trump in no way fired Gen. Jim Mattis. He did refuse to let him stay until his proposed end date of February 28, but Mattis had already announced his resignation. To put all of this into context, the United States now has an acting attorney general, an active chief of staff, and an acting defense secretary. No one wants a permanent job with Trump, and it’s easy to see why.
When President Obama ingloriously fired Jim Mattis, I gave him a second chance. Some thought I shouldn’t, I thought I should. Interesting relationship-but I also gave all of the resources that he never really had. Allies are very important-but not when they take advantage of U.S.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 23, 2018
Featured image via Twitter video
