McConnell is 'distressed' by Mattis resigning due to differences with Trump

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has major reservations about Defense Secretary James Mattis stepping down.

On Thursday night, McConnell released a statement saying he believes it's "essential that the United States maintain and strengthen the post-World War II alliances that have been carefully built by leaders in both parties. We must also maintain a clear-eyed understanding of our friends and foes, and recognize that nations like Russia are among the latter."

McConnell is "sorry to learn that Secretary Mattis, who shares those clear principles, will soon depart the administration," he continued. "But I am particularly distressed that he is resigning due to sharp differences with the president on these and other key aspects of America's global leadership." In his resignation letter, Mattis made it clear that he does not share President Trump's views on Russia and China and how to treat allies, telling him he has "the right to have a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned with yours" and that's why he is going to "step down from my position."

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