Defenders of President Trump have long argued that his worst impulses can and will be tempered by the good men and women in his administration. And when they listed the good men and women, the name at the top was always James Mattis. The legendary warrior. The honorable Marine.
But what does an honorable Marine do when he has an irreconcilable conflict with his commander?
No, he doesn’t pen anonymous essays for The New York Times. He can’t disobey lawful commands. But he also can’t in good conscience execute plans and policies that he believes are destructive and wrong.
So the honorable man resigns and states the reasons for his resignation.
That’s what Mattis did Thursday, and America should heed his words. His resignation letter is nothing short of a rebuke of the president’s habits, philosophy and decisions.
I want to highlight two excerpts in particular. Both of them send a clear message to the president.
Here’s the first:
“One core belief I have always held is that our strength as a nation is inextricably linked to the strength of our unique and comprehensive system of alliances and partnerships. While the US remains the indispensable nation in the free world, we cannot protect our interests or serve that role effectively without maintaining strong alliances and showing respect to those allies.
“Like you, I have said from the beginning that the armed forces of the United States should not be the policeman of the world. Instead, we must use all tools of American power to provide for the common defense, including providing effective leadership to our alliances. NATO’s 29 democracies demonstrated that strength in their commitment to fighting alongside us following the 9/11 attack on America. The Defeat-ISIS coalition of 74 nations is further proof.”
Its opening sentence is key: “One core belief I have always held is that our strength as a nation is inextricably linked to the strength of our unique and comprehensive system of alliances and partnerships.”
He next says, “We cannot protect our interests . . . without maintaining strong alliances and showing respect to those allies.” (Emphasis added.)
Donald Trump is at a pivotal moment. He can heed Gen. Mattis’ warning — delivered publicly, firmly and respectfully — or he can continue down his current, reckless path.
This letter represents America’s most-respected warrior telling the nation that he doesn’t believe the president sees our enemies clearly, understands the importance of our alliances or perceives the necessity of American leadership. We should be deeply troubled.
But this isn’t just a pivotal moment for Trump.
Republicans in Congress believed that Gen. Mattis’ appointment was one of Trump’s best decisions as president, and Mattis’ very presence at the Pentagon reassured the party and (more importantly) the public that an inexperienced, impulsive president would listen to wise counsel.
After reading this letter, will Republicans in Congress retain their faith in Trump’s judgment?
Will they continue to view him as the leader of the Republican Party, the man they defer to in politics and policy?
Now is the time for Republicans in Congress to declare their independence from the Republican in the White House and refuse once and for all to rubber-stamp Donald Trump’s whims and desires.
Gen. Mattis has performed a profoundly important public service. He has served his country in combat. He has served his country in high public office. He has now served it well with his resignation.
Will the nation heed the warning he delivered?
This piece originally appeared in National Review, where David French is a senior writer.