Schatz Statement On Nomination Of General Mattis To Be Secretary Of Defense

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement on the nomination of General James Mattis, USMC (ret.) to be secretary of defense:

“Civilian control of the military is a principle that has existed since our nation was founded, and we must be guarded against efforts that undermine it.  I strongly support the law that prohibits a person from becoming secretary of defense within seven years of leaving the military. The question of whether to except General Mattis from this prohibition is not about whether we should compromise our principles.  We should not.  The question is what is it about General Mattis that, notwithstanding this prohibition, demands that we cautiously consider this one-time appointment of a recent general officer to lead the Department of Defense?

“General Mattis is a thoughtful, articulate, well-read leader that has enjoyed the respect of civilian military leaders on a bipartisan basis.  He recognizes that national security requires more than a strong defense and the importance of empowering those working in diplomacy and development.  He understands issues affecting civil-military relations and is resolved to address them. His commitment to the Constitution and international legal norms is what we would demand of any civilian secretary.  But more than anything, he has proven he can moderate the president-elect on even his most radical views, and that is the kind of influence we need in the next senior national security team.

“As Eliot Cohen, a former counselor to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, recently testified: ‘there is no question in my mind that a Secretary Mattis would be a stabilizing and moderating force, preventing wildly stupid, dangerous, or illegal things from happening, and over time, helping to steer American foreign and security policy in a sound and sensible direction.’

“For all these reasons, I support General Mattis’ nomination to be the next secretary of defense.  I do so cautiously and with vigilance toward any effort in the future that would undermine our founding principle of civilian control of the military.”