“Make no mistake – Jim Mattis is resigning in protest over the president's national security policies,” a senior U.S. defense official told Fox News. Fox News is told more resignations at the Pentagon could be coming in Mattis’ wake. In one telling detail, it appears Mattis’ resignation letter had already been written when he went to the White House at around 3 p.m. on Thursday with the notice in hand. Mattis wrote that he has "been privileged to serve" in his role as defense secretary. Another factor was also at play in Mattis’ decision, Fox News is told.

Source: Fox News December 21, 2018 16:18 UTC