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US Defense Secretary James Mattis listens as President Donald Trump speaks to the news media at a briefing from his senior military leaders in the Cabinet Room at The White House in Washington, on Oct. 23, 2018. Leah Millis/Reuters
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Dec. 23 that Defense Secretary Gen. JimMattis will be leaving the administration on Jan. 1, about two months earlier than the previously planned departure date.
It’s unclear why the date was moved ahead, as Trump named the acting replacement.
