U.S. Reps. Charlie Dent (R-PA) and Mike Turner (R-OH) joined a chorus of lawmakers in praising President-elect Donald Trump’s announced selection of retired Gen. James Mattis to serve as secretary of defense.
Mattis enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1969 and served as the head of U.S. Central Command from 2010 until his retirement in 2013. Mattis also coauthored the Counterinsurgency Field Manual with retired Gen. David Petraeus.
“I believe that Gen. Mattis will serve our country and the men and women of our Armed Forces with the same distinction and integrity as he did for four decades wearing the uniform of the United States Marines,” Dent said. “As chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee that is tasked with meeting our nation’s military construction needs, I look forward to working with Gen. Mattis and his team.”
Turner, the chairman of the House Armed Services Tactical Air and Land Subcommittee, called Trump’s selection of Mattis to serve as secretary of defense an encouraging step forward.
“This choice makes it clear that President-elect Trump is serious about rebuilding our military and keeping national defense a top priority,” Turner said. “I look forward to working with President-elect Trump and Gen. Mattis in the near future.”