'I will kill you all' -- Trump chooses Mad Dog Mattis as Sec. of Defense

Gen. Mattis is a realist and a fighter, and popular with the troops.

President-elect Donald Trump has selected General James "Mad Dog" Mattis as the next Secretary of Defense. The Marine Corps general will be formerly announced on Monday. General Mattis has a reputation as a scholar and a fighter and is very popular with the troops.

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) - President-elect Donald Trump said he will nominate General James Mattis to be the next Secretary of Defense. He then quipped that his fans should not say anything because the formal announcement will not be made until Monday. General James Mattis is a highly-decorated Marine and is popular with the military. He has delivered numerous colorful quotes and has a reputation as a scholar.

General Mattis has been called "the Warrior Monk" because he has never married and has no children. Instead, he has devoted his entire life to the military. He is extremely literate and well read, remarking once that a person can't afford to avoid reading.

His quotes have been regarded as colorful, although some have gotten him into trouble.

"I come in peace. I didn't bring artillery. But I'm pleading with you, with tears in my eyes: If you f**k with me, I'll kill you all."

"Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet."

"There is nothing better than getting shot at and missed. It's really great."

"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil. You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them. Actually, it's quite fun to fight them, you know. It's a hell of a hoot. It's fun to shoot some people. I'll be right up there with you. I like brawling."

General Mattis' tough demeanor has landed him in trouble. He was dismissed under the Obama administration for his harsh questioning of civilians who were exploring the possibility of war with Iran. "And then what?" he kept asking. What if Iran makes it difficult for the Navy to operate in the Persian Gulf? His civilian bosses did not appreciate his critical inquiry and rushed him out of office months ahead of schedule.

The White House called him hawkish, but General Mattis has repeatedly shown himself to be a realist who once said, "You cannot allow any of your people to avoid the brutal facts. If they start living in a dream world, it's going to be bad."

General Mattis will likely accept the position and take his post in January. He will be a competent and effective leader. The troops hold him in high regard and his appointment will boost morale.

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