Full Interview: Defense Secretary James Mattis, May 28

Defense Secretary James Mattis is interviewed on Face the Nation.
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"Face the Nation" is the number one Sunday morning public affairs program. The broadcast is one of the longest-running news programs in the history of television, having premiered on CBS on Nov. 7, 1954. John Dickerson is the host of "Face the Nation". He also serves as Political Director for CBS News and is a contributor to Slate magazine and its podcast The Political Gabfest. Guests include government leaders, politicians, and international figures in the news. "Face the Nation" airs Sunday mornings. Check local listings for "Face the Nation" broadcast times.

[@SuburbanPreparedness]

26:17 What keeps you awake at night? "Nothing I keep other people awake at night."-James Mattis

[@andylaw4052]

thank you!

[@中共病毒]

He probably hasn't slept from the first day he joined the military judging from his huge eye bags.

[@XxEpicVectorxX]

Christian Benteke he is a god so it's okay for him to have them

[@Xendrius]

He is a failure, still a war in afghanistan and Iraq, thanks to him and dumb atheist USA generals.

[@dahsil6767]

Xendrius u aren't making any sense bud

[@ChibiViolin]

Greatest General of our age. Last time we saw the like was in WWII.

[@chuck6187]

I immediately thought of Gen. George S. Patton with your comment.

[@Xendrius]

He is a failure, he was in charge of Afghanistan and Iraq, both places became shitholes and still are 15 years later.

[@ChibiViolin]

Xendrius Those wars weren't meant to be won.

[@Jims5543]

The administration he was under during those wars were the failures. Not him. His handcuffs are off. Watch what happens over the next couple of years. The cockroaches are already dancing around on a hot tin plate, look to France and England.

[@M4n44n]

That's a failure of U.S. policy not his military expertise.

[@MrDuds1984]

Nothing, I keep other people awake at night...f'ing boss

[@MelkorHimself]

Top Kek for May 2017.

[@RedZedHeadTV]

get ready for the memes. This is the guy I want as my defense secretary.

[@jessie38supercharged]

RedZedHead TV *offense secretary. will just create more terrorists.

[@gtarater1000]

Jessie Mathiesen Yeah Obama followed that policy

[@jessie38supercharged]

Kalev Lemus exactly.

[@irreverentgentleman3745]

For anyone that's curious about one of the questions at the end of the video. SOD Mattis carries a list of names of Marines that's passed away under his command in his chest pocket at all times. When he retired, he vowed to visit the families of every Marine on that list.. this man has been honoring his word. A true leader.

[@youkouncoun6533]

Gl Mattis is the most influent US personnality USA has ever had in its rank Respect

[@ichaelbarrasso4791]

Reporter: What keeps you awake at night? Mattis: Nothing, I keep other people awake at night. Reporter: *grins and nods somewhat fearfully* *goes to next question*

[@acemantura]

I sleep well at night because of Secretary Mattis. ...I honestly wish it were President Mattis, but the good ones rarely run.

[@MrJH101]

MATTIS 2020

[@deadtothewxrld]

Would love to be able to say president mcchrystal or mcraven within the next decade

[@bdbs5618]

"I sleep well at night because of Secretary Mattis." Gay.

[@newindianajones1]

Very true statement

[@bigkeemy1]

he doesn't have the temperament for President but he's definitely doing a great job holding the country down as secretary of defense

[@BlargeMan]

I nominate James Mattis for quote of the year

[@shanegorney8058]

General Mattis is by far the greatest General of our time since Patten in WWII. So honored to have him on our side. Semper Fi.

[@Jimmy-ls5nt]

It's Patton. General George Smith Patton.

[@j0ey4real]

"We are the good guys... we're not the PERFECT guys but we ARE the good guys."

[@reddituser321]

Mattis could sweep the Cavs and the Warriors.

[@bobwehadababyitzaboy5872]

Hahahahaha! Perfect timing to read this comment. I have Sports center on and Lebron is babbling, but I'm listening to Mattis. Mattis is the new Chuck Norris.

[@YurLord]

Lol

[@jeannemaddux9006]

Stephen Benson jh

[@Robert-dt3is]

lmao

[@CheleChilindra]

26:22 the moment Dickerson realized Mathis tucks him in to bed every night

[@ardenkilikian7990]

I really like General Mattis. A person with experience, integrity and humanitarian philosophical views. I'd wish all the western states had such brilliant secretary of defence.

[@bctopper]

I have a lot of respect for Mattis.

[@mooreoftom]

26:17 YES!!

[@SuburbanPreparedness]

I know right?! I did a fist pump when I heard that.

[@Bengun67]

Outstanding. This man makes me believe into the USA.

[@elsabiro]

He should have been President.

[@kevinlee8935]

that's the problem, like when Osama Obama's wife said she was truly proud of this country for the first time. thing is , I have always been proud of this country

[@cesmith777]

why cant we get this guy as a president...

[@HvyMetal4Ever]

Mad Dog 2020

[@youkouncoun6533]

Talented Intelligent skillful Gl Mattis is still the most capable personnalty to maintain America growth rise again in improving bringing innovations boosting the US Economy creating more jobs

[@nath8282]

Clint Eastwood should play this guy in a movie

[@TheBrainFart2000]

Seminole Nation hahaha

[@naturalsadhu2730]

Regardless of political affiliations all U.S. citizens should be proud of this man.

[@ecarltondenson7331]

I cant get enough of hearing this good man speak. But it definitely makes it a joy to put the uniform on again. Thank you sir.

[@mousearebec]

This is absolutely the correct person to have in place. I don't even want to think about who Hillary might have put in this position. Now THAT would keep me away at night. We are so fortunate to have General Mattis as our Secretary of Defense.

[@ivanlagrossemoule]

Probably some idiot who thinks the military should be composed of 50% of women, no matter how much the standards are dropped.

[@newsnet4713]

She would take the same approach as in Syria. CIA supporting the Saudis.

[@derekpederson1952]

Honestly wouldn’t have been surprised if she pick Mattis dude, she’s effusively praised him.

[@derekpederson1952]

And he’s been pretty positive about her, at least relative to Obama: dailycaller.com/2017/07/10/mattis-takes-rare-swipe-at-obama/

[@derekpederson1952]

Hillary’s really hawkish for a Dem and Mattis is by far the least partisan guy in the Trump administration, so you’re making a kinda arbitrary distinction. Nonetheless, I certainly agree with you that Jim Mattis was a fantastic pick for Defense Secretary... that’s not really a partisan issue, he was confirmed in a 98-1 vote.

[@vashthestampede11]

Even if you hate Trump, you gotta about he hit a Grand Slam with this guy

[@synthiaraeathletics617]

obama fired him

[@XxXjuan96carlosXxX]

AMERICA FIRST LIKE IT SHOULD BE December 2018, mattis resigns lol

[@youkouncoun6533]

He didn't Hit Him Gl Mathis prefered to live the shaking boat He resigned Guelton Naima

[@youkouncoun6533]

Trump got rid of the nearly over skilled personnalities

[@sinceremilkoftheword9754]

The interviewers questions were smug and negative. Intelligent and calculated answers by our great general!

[@Jatischar]

I didnt find him smug and negative at all. Honestly I like that he asked pointed and direct questions without pandering or throwing softballs. Mattis can handel it marvelously.

[@Jhon47807]

Are you kidding? The questions were direct and nuanced, there was nothing smug about him.

[@raynordland8786]

think about this!! obama fired this man and did not even bother to have someone contact him. He was in a meeting and heard it on hre news!!

[@davidgray8191]

This is a great American.Hoorah General!

[@TheKeithandre]

This man is amazing

[@OscarMartinez-wz7cf]

Lol 26:18 I keep other people awake at night lol semper Fi sir!

[@nathanpolk2523]

He responds to a question in a second without thinking about it

[@MaxVelez]

Great interview #facethenation with #JamesMattis I am happy to see such a wise & intellectual Secretary of Defense! His service throughout diverse administrations shows his amazing value to us.

[@theone2436]

This is awesome. A true leader.

[@Poise111]

MADDOG MATTIS, great guy met him in Quantico in 2011 when I was a Corporal in the USMC

[@roberthuismans3533]

Catch phrases aside, this is a thoroughly decent and thoughtful man. An intellectual scholarly version of George Patton.

[@dogboy0912]

There is not a more capable and well equipped man for this job. Say what you like about the current administration. They got this one right. Mattis gave the best years of his life leading U.S. Marines, US. armed forces and allies in CENTCOM, and has now given his retirement to doing even more for the United States. He is incredibly well read, versed in philosophy and history, and knows the region of interest intimately. He is not a horse with blinders. His view is not narrow. His decisions are the culmination of his experience and perspective, and in those, I have faith.

[@jesse_cole]

This man is intense... I just read the "Personal Life" section of his Wikipedia page... and it basically says, "Mattis has no personal life."

[@Loukious]

One of my favorite things about him is his care for the rank and file guys (low ranking troops). Buddy of mine was in Afghanistan under Mattis. He was in a fox hole. Just scanning his sector when he heard a low "coming in" from behind. He turns and there's Mattis. Mattis checked on the sleeping Marine next to my buddy (2 men per fox hole). Asks how my buddy is doing. He nods and goes "good sir, just about to wake him (other Marine) up for a break so I can hit the head." Mattis turns, slaps my buddy on the back and goes "Hit the head. Let him sleep for a bit longer". Mattis took over the sector and my buddy went off to hit the head.

[@sancho7863]

Everybody loves mattis

[@Jatischar]

Indeed. I dont agree with basicaly anything else Donald J Trump has done, but appointing General Mattis was a stroke of Genius. Now I hope that he will Give Mattis everything he needs to fight and win, and crucialy: *Secure Victory* . The Military cant create peace and stability alone, thats not their job. Trump needs to help the State Department (thats the foreign affairs department right?) too.

[@truedonblue3949]

WTF did I just walk in to a gay bar or what?

[@Jatischar]

+True Don Blue , I dont follow, why are you asking?

[@batboy2311]

Jatischar you gotta like the fact he declined the Paris Accord and also his strategic message when he bombed Syria? :)

[@batboy2311]

Yes and both of those things were good.

[@sithjohn80]

"Nothing, I keep other people awake at night." Legendary quote right there.

[@elizabetrodrigue8523]

oohrahh! absolutely love that! "nothing keeps me up at , I keep other people up" just amazing! God, Country, Corps! Semper Fi!

[@mikeysal231]

Grade A badass. I bow to him. Wish I could work with him for a year.

[@Jatischar]

"We are the good Guys, we are not the *perfect* Guys, but we are the good Guys." Very true quote, well spoken Sec Mattis. And the thing is, even a cinic like me can believe him when he says that, because he is an honest and upright Man.

[@mariojorge9529]

Thank you very much!

[@angelicaluce3230]

ABOUT TIME!!! ANNIHILATION!

[@MajesticSkywhale]

admittedly "nothing, I " is his usual response to that sort of question (i've heard similar about two other things, I'll have to look up to find though), but the instant instinctual delivery and full 100% sincerity is just so great to see

[@southernbreeze3278]

Seems like a competent guy. History will judge.

[@hectorpuga1757]

When he answered that "He kept other people awake at night" man the look on his face was dead on serious!

[@Jatischar]

I am so glad that we have General Mattis as Defence Sec, truly the best Man for the Job.

[@cleopatraregina4098]

Excelența sa General James N. Mattis este un erou al americanilor. Este omul care a gândit pacea mondială. A întocmit arhitectura! A creat alianțe strategice, printr o cunoaștere a tuturor evenimentelor, a stării de fapt, având expertiză în toate! Un om integru de mare valoare!

[@christopherdowns2430]

the real commander in chief

[@MervandtheMagicTones]

A Giant in our time.

[@williammelvin6371]

Thank God for this General !!

[@mrmotel9977]

Certainly know who the smartest man in the room was here!!

[@jeepjeff9131]

RE: North Korea and what is the line they have to cross for us to take action. "I prefer not to answer that question John, the POTUS needs political maneuver room on this issue. We don't draw red lines unless we plan to carry them out." A fantastic slap in the face to Barry Obama and the whimpy Dems.

[@joeking9800]

What i would give to meet this man, shake his hand, and tell him it is an honor to see him do fantastic things. Very well educated.

[@dallasgangsta187]

Badass

[@myessyallyahamericus8405]

I want to thank you Matt is for giving so much of yourself to help america

[@truckingjourneys]

Badass "chaos" badass

[@MrKilroy51]

Absolute professional

[@raynordland8786]

think about this!! obama fired this man and did not even bother to have someone contact him. He was in a meeting and heard it on hre news!!

[@murphym.5915]

Mattis. The best of the best.

[@youkouncoun6533]

be back later Don't worry Babe We'll continue our long walk into an endless way We are two beings in one Be mine Blossom into light Having you by my side is the gift I dreamed o I love you James

[@Monkey-wn3iz]

I think the best quote from mattis here is, "We are the good guys, not the perfect guys."

[@lizziedanger4271]

People like this guy is what keeps America safe.

[@fnulnu6507]

Firefighter are trained to fight fires. Military leaders are trained to have a warrior mentality in order to defend freedom. Neither hopes their skills are needed, but they must be able to execute excellence in their trained field to accomplish their objective, should that be needed. Do not confuse General Mattis with the war profiteers and defense contractors. General Mattis puts his country and his Marines first.

[@frankythehatchet3206]

Very impressive, as a Irish citizen looking from outside the box this man is a pure fighter, America has stepped up, he's mesmerising

[@kennethbrugonone2359]

This man commands so much loyalty and respect from the servicemen. the Warrior Monk ladies and gentlemen.

[@kirscheim]

such a considered and sober man, sometimes i actually don't want to know what he thinks. sometimes there is just too much to process. thank god ( in whatever form or name you use for him ) donald trump met this man...

[@mtankersley5275]

He really is the real deal.

[@PureSwedishViking]

As a european, I highly respect Mr Mattis. A man of strong convictions who won’t even hesitate to quarrel with the president on important matters of policy decisions, both domestic and foreign.

[@youkouncoun6533]

What a Great man! So precious personality well aknowledged on all problem tthat surround the World

[@stephaniegregston9871]

Great interview.... very informative! Love Mattis!!!

[@karlaatherton]

bravo!

[@nc_classics_9610]

Savage one liners, hope there are more to come.

[@myessyallyahamericus8405]

I was not allowed to join the marines because of my back birth defect. but I tried to join with sergeant Davis in Norwalk 22 years ago

[@susiewilliams7540]

AWESOME

[@timleonard4822]

Here is leadership of the highest order

[@EnhancedNightmare]

What a great man. He is a scholar, smart man, slick with his speech not allowing himself to be backed into a corner or to compromise president's position. I mean Trump doesn't deserve guy like that but America surely needs.

[@myessyallyahamericus8405]

I am here asking you for help. I need your help. I can not recover on my own. the damage is to thorough

[@NequeNon]

Spectacular.

[@raisedonAMradio]

His statement about foreign fighters was spot on.

[@Erik17071990]

i might be called a lefty in American politics but i am a strong supporter of increased military spending for NATO country's because we need to honour that deal and defend ourselves. Still it's good to know that a intelligent, strong and competent man like James Mattis has our backs. Thank you mister Mattis

[@igloo54]

When Chuck Norris has trouble sleeping, General Mad Dog Mattis reads him bedtime stories. (DoD accounting figures for weeds and seeds rock painting details is usually what gets me counting sheep).

[@ptb2929]

General John Archer Lejeune / luh jern (CMC XIII ) would be proud of this fine leader of Marines and now the nation's defense

[@electrojag1]

26:17 "... I keep others up at night." - The Honorable Mr. James Mattis

[@wolfgangsomary3009]

"Why they see NATO as a threat is beyond me....NATO is not a threat" (22:10). If NATO is not intended as threat to Russia, what is its purpose? The Warsaw Pact was disbanded when the Soviet Union fell apart; but NATO was extended to the Russian border by Bush Senior and Bill Clinton. Why should that not worry the Russian government?

[@douglassauvageau7262]

"We are not the 'perfect-guys', but we are the 'good-guys''". Thank you GENERAL / SECRETARY Mattis for standing up for us. You are a 'Stand-Up Guy'.

[@douglassauvageau7262]

"Rough men stand ready..." FUCKINAY and OOORAH ! ! ! Fifty Million men will LEAP into action when Mattis says GO.

[@douglassauvageau7262]

Unfortunately, most of those men are over fourty.years old..

[@douglassauvageau7262]

Secretary Mattis needs to fully embrace and support LTG Omar Jones IV, Commanding General of the U. S. Army Installation Management Command (IMCOM). Army Home - Army Strong.

[@douglassauvageau7262]

IMCOM provides the 'seed-corn' to FORSCOM. Mattis must certainly understand.

[@eduardo7271]

gen. mattis your the man . best defence is the offense

[@rebel360]

not a trump fan but i can't sit here and say that James Mattis is not a fresh breath of air and has sober strategic thoughts

[@jayscatena1376]

God bless General Mattis

[@tundraotto]

Best SECDEF - and we've got him working for us.

[@thepeach12345]

Godamit sir we need you to come email and internet wise to tell our forces we need your help. Right now non of this great video you show get shown to our troops

[@rickhard3979]

This man understand the art of warfare.

[@svamandolin3546]

I sleep better at night knowing people like Mattis are running things.

[@joshi3518]

He runs nothing.

[@nc_classics_9610]

He said "Isis is a fight about ideas", Bingo!

[@eunicecole8261]

Love you General mattis

[@yesmanyesman1]

"What keeps you awake at night?" 26:18

[@raynordland8786]

think about this!! obama fired this man and did not even bother to have someone contact him. He was in a meeting and heard it on hre news!!

[@npr386]

Class act, all around.

[@JayDillon-mm6yv]

Mattis just said they were surrounding ISIS. Then the interviewer says, what does this mean on the ground in practical terms? It means the enemy is surrounded. Their supplies are cut off. They die. That's what it means. Why waste time asking stupid questions. It means the enemy dies which is the objective. It means the stupid caliphate is no more. That's what it means. Obama would let these perverts bring in more troops and guns all the time, this led to more and more deaths of our troops and of civilians. Obama was a traitor. Mattis is actually fighting and killing the enemy. Obama committed treason. Mattis is patriotic. Big difference.

[@fandomewhisper]

The interviewer's voice keeps cracking from sheer fear. 😂😂😂

[@robertchoward]

I really don't know anything about James Mattis' politics but have the highest respect for his intellect, p rinciples and his service to your country. I would love to see a serious discussion of a possible ticket of Mattis and Kamala Harris for president in either order for 2020.

[@BrianAustin74]

Anything with Jim Mattis is good.

[@KerryOConnor1]

26:16

[@Destructerator]

Sec Mattis' haircut looks like if you turn anisotropic filtering the whole way down

[@Mirraluka]

General Mattis is one of our FINEST ever generals President Trump is very fortunate to have this man on his team with 40 years of military experience what a Fine man General James Mattis is.

[@robinmasters5082]

They must destroy the financial suppliers.

[@betimhashani6244]

great General thank you gor everything keeping the world more safe and thank you for supporting creating a Kosovo army thank you general