[Photo] Mattis resigns as US defense secretary in opposition to Trump’s Syria withdrawal

US Defense Secretary James Mattis announced his resignation, citing differences in opinion with President Donald Trump, on Dec. 20. This was directly after Trump’s decision to withdraw 2,000 troops from Syria. The US media is largely interpreting Mattis’ resignation as a rebellious act against Trump. In his explanation for his resignation, Mattis tells Trump, “Because you have the right to have a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned with yours on these and other subjects, I believe it is right for me to step down from my position.” Trump has announced that Mattis will be officially leaving his post at the end of February. (EPA)