Ex-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis <br />Calls Trump a Constitutional Threat In a statement published in 'The Atlantic,' <br />the retired Marine General intensely criticized <br />Trump's handling of nationwide protests. Mattis also voiced his support for protesters, <br />whom he says are seeking equal justice. Mattis, who resigned in late 2018, added that <br />the president only seeks to divide the country. Jim Mattis, via <br />'The Atlantic' Jim Mattis, via <br />'The Atlantic' Mattis also referenced the forceful <br />removal of peaceful White House protesters <br />before Trump visited a church for a photo op. Jim Mattis, via <br />'The Atlantic' Jim Mattis, via <br />'The Atlantic' Mattis adds that actions taken <br />against the D.C. protesters were <br />an "abuse of authority." He goes on to write that <br />focus should not be on a <br />"small number of lawbreakers." Mattis also said that U.S. cities <br />shouldn't be seen as <br />battle areas for the military. U.S. governors, he explains, should be the only <br />ones to request military action on rare occasions. Trump has since responded, calling Mattis <br />"the world's most overrated General," in a tweet.
