American lawmakers from both the Democratic and Republican parties have blasted US President Donald Trump following the resignation of Defense Secretary James Mattis over policy disputes.
Mattis announced on Thursday that he would resign from the post at the end of February, writing in a letter to Trump that he deserved a secretary whose views were “better aligned” with the US president.
The resignation of the Pentagon chief came after Trump confirmed he was withdrawing US troops from Syria despite opposition from allies and top US military officials.
The US president has also ordered the start of pulling out some 7,000 troops from Afghanistan, about half of the total number of American boots on the ground in the war-torn country.
Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer described Mattis as one of a few symbols of strength and stability in the US administration.
“President Trump is plunging the country into chaos. The market’s down…