President Trump tweeted today that he is replacing General James Mattis as Defense Secretary with the Deputy Secretary of Defense, Patrick Shanahan with effect from 1st January 2019. (see below).
Donald J. Trump@realDonaldTrump
I am pleased to announce that our very talented Deputy Secretary of Defense, Patrick Shanahan, will assume the title of Acting Secretary of Defense starting January 1, 2019. Patrick has a long list of accomplishments while serving as Deputy, & previously Boeing. He will be great!
This was a surprise for some in that Mattis had volunteered to remain until February but clearly President Trump wants ‘his man’ in early – and frankly the decision will remove some of the uncertainty that leaving the position open would create.
It is reported that Mr Shanahan, a former executive at the aerospace giant Boeing, joined the Pentagon in July 2017 after Mr Trump nominated him and was a vocal supporter of the President’s plan to establish a sixth branch of the armed forces, known as the “space force”.
At least not going to Maralago has given the President time to sort these things out – though it looks like the border wall is not being funded as yet and negotiations to continue probably once the new House of Representatives sit.
Sounds great