First Democrat to oppose Marine hero ‘Mad Dog’ Mattis says she’ll oppose waiver to let him serve at Pentagon
President-elect Donald Trump said Thursday night he would nominate Gen. James Mattis to lead the Defense Department
A law on the books requires Pentagon chief be out of uniform for seven years
Mattis spent four decades in the military but got out of uniform only in 2013
New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, an Armed Services Committee member, says she won’t support a congressional waiver
‘Civilian control of our military is a fundamental principle of American democracy, and I will not vote for an exception to this rule’
By Geoff Earle, Deputy U.s. Political Editor
DailyMail.com
2 December 2016
The first Senate Democrat has come out against one of President-elect Donald Trump’s more popular cabinet nominees, as Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York says she won’t back a special waiver for the general.
‘While I deeply respect General Mattis’s service, I will oppose a waiver,’ Gillibrand said in a statement. ‘Civilian control of our military is a fundamental principle of American democracy, and I will not vote for an exception to this rule.’
Mattis’ wartime experiences as a ‘fighting general’ and his intellect have won him strong early reviews from Republicans and Democrats, including Rep. Adam Schiff, the top Democratic on the House Intelligence Committee.
He also is seen as a possible check against some of Trump’s instincts. Mattis has publicly criticized Russia, and Trump has credited him with raising persuasive arguments against water-boarding, a harsh interrogation technique the president-elect has said should be brought back.
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