defense secretary james mattis
Retired Marine Gen. James Mattis has been chosen to be secretary of defense by President-elect Donald Trump, according to people familiar with the decision. (Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post) By Dan Lamothe By Dan Lamothe December 1, 2016. President-elect Donald Trump said Thursday he has chosen retired Marine Gen. James N. Mattis, who has said that responding to âpolitical Islamâ is the major security issue facing the United States, to be secretary of defense.