Gen. James Mattis has an almost mythical stature in cotemporary American military and political culture, Matthew Fisher says.

James Mattis, Trump's former defence secretary, joined three ex-presidents in issuing rare statements backing the George Floyd protests.

Mattis took particular issue with the use of force to move back protesters so Trump could visit St. John’s Church the day after it was damaged by fire during protests.

"I like acting. It gives me more flexibility. Do you understand that? I like acting. So we have a few that are acting. We have a great, great Cabinet," Trump said.

"After two years in the Pentagon, I've decided the time is right to return to the private sector. It has been an honor to serve again alongside the men and women of the Department of Defense," read Sweeney's statement. 

U.S. Defence Secretary James Mattis encouraged his troops to avoid distraction in a farewell message Monday without mentioning his boss, Donald Trump.

The Trump administration averaged just over two departures of senior officials a month in 2018.

Even Trump's closest advisers have been whipsawed over a series of recent actions that show how intently the president relies on what is sometimes called his gut.

There are looming policy questions about the wars in Syria and Afghanistan, including critical decisions about how the Pentagon will carry out Trump’s order to pull all 2,000 U.S. troops out of Syria.

Only 11 days ago, Brett McGurk had said it would be “reckless” to consider the Islamic State defeated and therefore would be unwise to bring American forces home.