USA Today: “Defense Secretary Jim Mattis announced Thursday that he is stepping down, citing disagreements with President Donald Trump ranging from Syria to global alliances and sparking deep anxiety among lawmakers about national security.
The announcement of Mattis’ departure on Feb. 28 capped a turbulent series of events in which Trump abruptly gave notice Wednesday that 2,000 troops would be withdrawn from Syria, the prospect of a partial government shutdown drew closer and financial markets plunged.”
