© Andrew Harnik/Associated Press
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis bid farewell to the armed forces and other defense employees on his last day on the job, urging them to "keep the faith" and stand by U.S. allies.
In a farewell message, the retired Marine general told Defense Department employees that serving as defense secretary "has been my high honor."
"Our Department's leadership, civilian and military, remains in the best possible hands," Mattis said. "I am confident that each of you remains undistracted from our sworn mission to support and defend the Constitution while protecting our way of life."
"So keep the faith in our country and hold fast, alongside our allies, aligned against our foes," Mattis added.
Mattis, who resigned earlier this month over mounting policy differences with President Donald Trump, departs the Pentagon later today. Deputy Secretary Pat Shanahan will succeed Mattis on an acting basis.
While Mattis had initially planned to stay on until the end of February, Trump cut the Pentagon chief's tenure short, tweeting that Shanahan would take over on Jan. 1.
Connor O'Brien is a defense reporter for POLITICO Pro, covering Congress. Prior to joining POLITICO, he covered defense, national security and veterans issues for CQ Roll Call. In his time reporting on Capitol Hill, he has covered several rounds of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), budget and appropriations bills and action on the House and Senate floor.
Comment: Mattis' departure may be the beginning of Trump remaking his advisory circle into something more supportive of his administration's goals. It won't be easy.