WASHINGTON – In an extraordinary public battle between a commander-in-chief and defense secretary, President Donald Trump appeared to push back Friday on Pentagon chief…
WASHINGTON – In an extraordinary public battle between a commander-in-chief and defense secretary, President Donald Trump appeared to push back Friday on Pentagon chief Jim Mattis over policy toward Russia and China.
« There has never been a president who has been tougher (but fair) on China or Russia, » Trump said on Twitter. « Never, just look at the facts. The Fake News tries so hard to paint the opposite picture. »
Trump did not cite Mattis by name, but his latest blame-the-media tweet came the morning after Mattis cited Russia and China in a resignation letter rebuking Trump over his « America First » foreign policy.
More: Defense Secretary Jim Mattis leaving his job after clash with Trump over Syria
Trump’s alienation of longtime allies in Europe and Asia are allowing Russia and China to impose themselves on other countries to the detriment of American security, » Mattis said.
