James Mattis wished a merry Christmas “to all you lads and lasses holding the line in 2018” in what was likely his final message to America’s troops as defense secretary.
“Since Washington crossed the Delaware at Christmas in 1776, American troops have missed holidays at home to defend our experiment in democracy,” Mattis said in a 20-second video.
“To all you lads and lasses holding the line in 2018, on land, at sea, or in the air, thanks for keeping the faith. Merry Christmas and may God hold you safe,” Mattis concluded.
The video was recorded Dec. 19, one day before Mattis submitted his scathing resignation letter to President Trump.
It was unclear whether Trump immediately read the letter, but after days of coverage praising the Marine general for rebuking the president’s defense and foreign policies, a piqued Trump announced that Mattis would leave the Pentagon on Jan. 1, two months earlier than planned.
The Pentagon then released Mattis’ holiday letter to the troops, in which he echoed many of the same themes that were in his video message.
“To those in the field or at sea, ‘keeping watch by night’ this holiday season, you should recognize that you carry on the proud legacy of those who stood the watch in decades past. In this world awash in change, you hold the line,” Mattis wrote.
“Storm clouds loom, yet because of you, your fellow citizens live safe at home,” Mattis continued.
“Most don’t know your names but all are confident their freedoms and their families will be kept safe. Far from home, you have earned the gratitude and respect of your fellow citizens and it remains my great privilege to serve alongside you.”
Mattis resigned in protest of Trump’s abrupt decision to yank US troops out of Syria.
Mattis, according to reports, was at the Pentagon working on Christmas Day.