Such unusual anxiety about Trump among Republicans on Capitol Hill suggested that Mattis might have achieved at least part of his aim in resigning. Trump's order of an immediate withdrawal from Syria -- the final straw for Mattis -- defied the counsel of his national security experts. Another Republican who usually supports Trump, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, warned an Afghan withdrawal would pave the way "toward another 9/11." Mattis was even forced to explain why Trump deployed troops to the southern border in a political stunt to bolster his hardline message on immigration. And he's seen Trump insult allied leaders to their faces at bitter global summits.

Source: CNN December 21, 2018 06:33 UTC