BREAKING: A KEY Member Of Trump’s Cabinet Is Resigning, And I’m Actually Shocked

….equipment. General Mattis was a great help to me in getting allies and other countries to pay their share of military obligations. A new Secretary of Defense will be named shortly. I greatly thank Jim for his service!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 20, 2018

Mattis wrote that he has “been privileged to serve” in his role as defense secretary and acknowledged the department’s record during his time there.

In his letter to Trump, Mattis acknowledged that a strong nation relies on a “comprehensive” network of alliances, and must be “resolute and unambiguous” in approaching countries with strategic differences, citing China and Russia.

“Because you have the right to have a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned with yours on these and other subjects, I believe it is right for me to step down from my position,” Mattis wrote.

His departure date will be Feb. 28, 2019, which he noted should give the president and the department enough time to his replacement to be nominated and confirmed. He also pledged his “full effort to a smooth transition.”

“I very much appreciate this opportunity to serve the nation and our men and women in uniform,” Mattis concluded.

I’m shocked. And bummed.

We’ve had SO MUCH turnover, but I really just didn’t see this coming.