NPR

'Keep The Faith In Our Country And Hold Fast,' Mattis Tells Defense Department

Monday is the Defense Secretary's last day on the job. He urged people to "to support and defend the Constitution while protecting our way of life."
President Trump and Defense Secretary James Mattis at the White House in October. Mattis will be replaced by Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan on Tuesday.

Defense Secretary James Mattis released a farewell message to all employees on Monday, in the waning hours of his job as Pentagon chief.

"I am confident that each of you remains undistracted from our sworn mission to support and defend the Constitution while protecting our way of life," he wrote.

He said that the Pentagon is at its best "when the times are most difficult," and told

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR8 min read
A Photo Depicted Dead Children In Gaza
A reader was scrolling through her news feed when she clicked on an NPR headline about an air assault in Gaza and found herself looking at a photo of dead children. She was upset by the picture and immediately felt as if the people she was looking at
NPR3 min read
Michael Cohen Continues Cross-examination In Trump's Criminal Hush Money Trial
Once an ally of the former president, now Cohen is in his third day of testifying against him. He alleges Trump knew about the deal with an adult film star to keep quiet about an alleged affair.
NPR4 min read
'Whale Fall' Centers The Push-and-pull Between Dreams And Responsibilities
Elizabeth O'Connor's spare and bracing debut novel provides a stark reckoning with what it means to be seen from the outside, both as a person and as a people.

Related Books & Audiobooks