Mattis on the way out

Mr. Trump apparently has plans to fire General Mattis as he has hinted lately by calling him “sort of a Democrat.” As if that’s a derogatory term. The U.S. is a two-party system. In my opinion, it will be to appease Putin.

General Mattis has strong opinions of Putin, all bad. In 2015 Mattis spoke at a conference at the Heritage Foundation (a conservative organization a sort-of-Democrat would not be invited to speak at) and said he believed Putin’s intent was to break NATO apart. Putin’s expansionist policies in the Baltic states, Ukraine and Syria would be much easier if NATO were disbanded or broken. In 2017 Mattis said the U.S. and the world order were under the biggest threat since World War II from Russia, terrorist groups, and China’s action in the South China Sea. Again in 2017: “Despite Russia’s denials, we know they are seeking to redraw international borders by force, undermining the sovereign and free nations of Europe.” Per Mattis, “Treachery has existed as long as there’s been warfare.” And in my mind I wonder about Trump and his honor and concern for this sovereign nation.

Mattis said the budget cuts in regard to climate science would hamper the ability to monitor the impact of change and noted climate change is a challenge that requires a broader whole-government response and is a national security issue.

Perhaps General Mattis should be president instead of someone whose loyalty to this country is questionable. EDITH SEAMAN Lakeview