McConnell ‘Distressed’ by Mattis Resignation

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said he was “distressed” by Defense Secretary James Mattis’s resignation announcement, The Hill reports.

Said McConnell: “I believe it’s essential that the United States maintain and strengthen the post-World War II alliances that have been carefully built by leaders in both parties. We must also maintain a clear-eyed understanding of our friends and foes, and recognize that nations like Russia are among the latter.”

He added: “So I was sorry to learn that Secretary Mattis, who shares those clear principles, will soon depart the administration. But I am particularly distressed that he is resigning due to sharp differences with the president on these and other key aspects of America’s global leadership.”