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Trump names Gen James 'Mad Dog' Mattis as defence secretary Trump names Gen James 'Mad Dog' Mattis as defence secretary
(about 1 hour later)
US President-elect Donald Trump has named Gen James Mattis, a former marine who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, as his defence secretary.US President-elect Donald Trump has named Gen James Mattis, a former marine who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, as his defence secretary.
"He's our best," Mr Trump said, as he announced his pick in a speech in Ohio."He's our best," Mr Trump said, as he announced his pick in a speech in Ohio.
Gen Mattis, who is known as "Mad Dog", was an outspoken critic of the Obama administration's Middle East policy, particularly on Iran.Gen Mattis, who is known as "Mad Dog", was an outspoken critic of the Obama administration's Middle East policy, particularly on Iran.
He has referred to Iran as "the single most enduring threat to stability and peace in the Middle East".He has referred to Iran as "the single most enduring threat to stability and peace in the Middle East".
Mr Trump made the announcement in Cincinnati at the start of a "USA Thank You Tour 2016" for his supporters.Mr Trump made the announcement in Cincinnati at the start of a "USA Thank You Tour 2016" for his supporters.
"We are going to appoint 'Mad Dog' Mattis as our secretary of defence," he told the crowd."We are going to appoint 'Mad Dog' Mattis as our secretary of defence," he told the crowd.
"They say he's the closest thing to General George Patton [World War Two commander] that we have.""They say he's the closest thing to General George Patton [World War Two commander] that we have."
Campaign Trump on top form - Analysis by Anthony Zurcher, BBC North America reporterCampaign Trump on top form - Analysis by Anthony Zurcher, BBC North America reporter
This was billed as the first stop on President-elect Donald Trump's "thank you" tour of states he flipped from Democrat to Republican in the 2016 election.This was billed as the first stop on President-elect Donald Trump's "thank you" tour of states he flipped from Democrat to Republican in the 2016 election.
It ended up being more like an extended end zone dance, an "in your face" primal scream at all his critics and naysayers.It ended up being more like an extended end zone dance, an "in your face" primal scream at all his critics and naysayers.
He took swipes at Hillary Clinton, to a chorus of "lock her up" chants from the crowd. He bemoaned the lack of support he received from his own party. And, as always, he fired invective at the media, as the boos rained down on the reporters typing away in their cordoned-off pen.He took swipes at Hillary Clinton, to a chorus of "lock her up" chants from the crowd. He bemoaned the lack of support he received from his own party. And, as always, he fired invective at the media, as the boos rained down on the reporters typing away in their cordoned-off pen.
The one bit of news he did reveal - that he had picked retired General James Mattis to be defence secretary - was seemingly impromptu. "Don't let it out of this room, promise," he said, to cheers.The one bit of news he did reveal - that he had picked retired General James Mattis to be defence secretary - was seemingly impromptu. "Don't let it out of this room, promise," he said, to cheers.
It was Campaign Trump in top form. He clearly had a script - unveiling his "action plan" for his presidency - but he enthusiastically deviated from it, much to the crowd's delight.It was Campaign Trump in top form. He clearly had a script - unveiling his "action plan" for his presidency - but he enthusiastically deviated from it, much to the crowd's delight.
"Should I go on just a little bit longer?" he asked. The crowd roared."Should I go on just a little bit longer?" he asked. The crowd roared.
During his speech he said a divided America must come together, but it seems unlikely any Democrats watching felt like sharing a group hug.During his speech he said a divided America must come together, but it seems unlikely any Democrats watching felt like sharing a group hug.
Trump settles scores in "thank-you" event
Mr Trump has previously described Gen Mattis, 66, as "a true general's general".Mr Trump has previously described Gen Mattis, 66, as "a true general's general".
The retired Marine Corps officer led an assault battalion during the first Gulf war in 1991 and commanded a task force into southern Afghanistan in 2001.The retired Marine Corps officer led an assault battalion during the first Gulf war in 1991 and commanded a task force into southern Afghanistan in 2001.
He also took part in the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and played a key role a year later in the Battle of Fallujah.He also took part in the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and played a key role a year later in the Battle of Fallujah.
Gen Mattis retired in 2013 after serving as the commander of the US Central Command.Gen Mattis retired in 2013 after serving as the commander of the US Central Command.
Correspondents say his nomination will be popular among US forces.Correspondents say his nomination will be popular among US forces.
However, a constitutional hurdle must be overcome before he can be appointed. However, a legal hurdle must be overcome before he can be appointed.
Under US law, a retired officer must be out of uniform for at least seven years before he or she can serve as defence secretary.Under US law, a retired officer must be out of uniform for at least seven years before he or she can serve as defence secretary.
Republican-controlled Congress will have to approve legislation bypassing the requirement so he can take up the role.Republican-controlled Congress will have to approve legislation bypassing the requirement so he can take up the role.