AP, WASHINGTONUS president-elect Donald Trump on Thursday said he would nominate retired US general James Mattis to be the US Secretary of Defense, making the announcement at a post-election victory rally in Cincinnati, Ohio. Mattis, 66, is a former US Marine Corps general who retired in 2013 after serving as the commander of the US Central Command. His selection raises questions about increased military influence in a job designed to ensure civilian control of the armed forces. For Mattis to be confirmed, US Congress would first have to approve legislation bypassing a law that bars retired military officers from becoming the US defense secretary within seven years of leaving active duty. So it’s a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them.”Mattis was counseled to choose his words more carefully.

Source: Taipei Times December 02, 2016 16:01 UTC