BRUNSWICK, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement on the announcement that Secretary of Defense James Mattis would be leaving the Trump Administration at the end of February:

“When I first considered General Mattis’s nomination to serve as Defense Secretary, I concluded that he was ‘an experienced leader’ who would ‘serve as a moderating voice within the Administration.’ After nearly two years of service, I can say with confidence that Secretary Mattis has filled this role to the best of his ability given the Administration in which he served, providing a seasoned, rational voice on national security in the midst of numerous international challenges. His departure is extremely worrisome, particularly as it comes on the heels of a number of increasingly erratic foreign policy decisions that endanger American interests abroad and undermine our nation’s place as a world leader.

“Quite frankly, I’ve slept better knowing that Secretary Mattis was leading the Department of Defense and providing counsel to this President on issues of national security, and while I understand his reluctance to continue to serve in an administration that ignores his expertise, I’m unsure who – if anyone – will be able to replace his measured, thoughtful approach in these important conversations. The loss of Jim Mattis’s voice is a loss for the American people. He will leave mighty shoes to fill, and I will measure any nominee the President puts forward against Secretary Mattis’s distinguished record of performance, patriotism, and service to his country.”