Trump Top Nominees Pompeo and Mattis Warn of Russia Threat

President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees for defence secretary and spy chief have been talking tough on Russia.

General James Mattis, defence secretary nominee, warned NATO was under its biggest attack since World War Two, including from Moscow.

Mike Pompeo, Mr Trump’s pick to lead the CIA, said Russia posed a threat in Europe and was “asserting itself aggressively” in Ukraine.

The pair were among several cabinet choices facing confirmation hearings.

Mr Mattis, a retired general and Mr Trump’s pick for Pentagon chief, said Russian President Vladimir Putin was trying to divide NATO nations.

“I think right now the most important thing is that we recognise the reality of what we deal with with Mr Putin and we recognise that he is trying to break the North Atlantic Alliance and that we take the steps, the integrated steps, diplomatic, economic, military and the Alliance steps, working with our allies to defend ourselves where we must,” he told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

“I think it’s under the biggest attack since World War II, sir, and that’s from Russia, from terrorist groups and with what China is doing in the South China Sea.”

If confirmed, Mr Mattis, nicknamed Mad Dog for his combative style, would be the first career military officer to serve as secretary of defence in more than 50 years.

But the committee will have to approve an exception to a rule which says former military staff must spend a minimum of seven years out of office before they can run the Pentagon.

Mr Pompeo, Mr Trump’s choice for CIA director, faced questions over the presidentelect’s growing rift with the US intelligence community. He said he had “every confidence” in the US intelligence services.

Their assessment that statedirected Russia hackers meddled in the US election was “sound”, he added.