Mattis joins ex-Pentagon chiefs in call for hearings on ‘reckless’ Trump military firings

The House and Senate should demand that the administration justify each firing and fully explain why it violated Congress’ legislative intent that the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff complete a four-year term in office,

they write

We’re not asking members of Congress to do us a favour,

the write

Our military readiness is down, we have faced historic lows in recruitment and retention, we aren’t building enough ships, and servicemembers are living in abysmal barrack conditions,

he said

Senators should refuse to confirm any new Defense Department nominations, including that of retired Lt. General Dan Caine as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,

the former defense secretaries wrote

We write to urge the U.S. Congress to hold Mr. Trump to account for these reckless actions and to exercise fully its Constitutional oversight responsibilities,

they wrote

Mr. Trump's dismissals raise troubling questions about the administration's desire to politicize the military,

they wrote

President Trump's actions undermine our all-volunteer force and weaken our national security,

they wrote