Retired U.S. Marine Corps General James Mattis is emerging as a potential favorite for President-elect Donald Trump's secretary of defense nominee. Mattis, 66, met with Trump on Saturday at his golf club in Bedminster Township, N.J., and Trump tweeted the following day that the general was “very impressive” and under consideration to be Pentagon chief. Mattis retired from active duty in May 2013 as the top officer in U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations across the Middle East, and is perhaps the most popular senior officer of his generation. General James "Mad Dog" Mattis, who is being considered for Secretary of Defense, was very impressive yesterday. It was: ‘What do you need, Carter, to be successful?’”Mattis has not yet said how, if chosen, he would see his role as defense secretary.

Source: Washington Post November 21, 2016 21:55 UTC