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#resignation

Updated January 1, 2019 Foreign Policy & War
Major Abuse of Power

Mattis Resignation: 'You Have the Right to Have a Secretary of Defense Whose Views Are More Aligned'

Mattis had served as Defense Secretary since January 2017. His resignation came after Trump announced — via tweet, without military consultation — that he was withdrawing U.S. troops from Syria, effectively abandoning the Kurdish partners who had done the ground fighting against ISIS. Mattis's resignation letter was unusual in its directness: it stated that he believed Trump had not treated allies with 'respect and seriousness' and had not been 'clear-eyed' about the threats posed by adversaries including Russia and China. Trump, initially describing the departure as planned, later forced Mattis out before the end of his original tenure after the letter's contents became widely circulated.

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MattisSyriaKurdsmilitaryfirst-term
Updated September 29, 2017 Corruption & Self-Dealing
Significant Democratic Concern

Tom Price: $1 Million in Private Jet Travel as HHS Secretary, Resigned After Public Disclosure

Price's private jet use was revealed by Politico, which reported in September 2017 that he had taken multiple private charter flights at costs far exceeding commercial alternatives — including a $25,000 flight from Washington, D.C. to Philadelphia, a route served by Amtrak trains for under $80 and commercial flights for under $200. After the initial Politico report, additional flights were disclosed including trips to Europe, Africa, and Asia on military aircraft. Trump initially said he was 'not happy' about the reports while keeping Price in office, then accepted Price's resignation on September 29, 2017. Price offered to reimburse approximately $52,000 — the cost of his seat only on the flights — but not the full charter costs.

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PriceHHSfirst-termcorruptionprivate-jets