Gen. Jim Mattis on war and Trump

Gen. James Mattis served more than 40 years in the Marines, much of it commanding troops in battle. But he almost didn't make it to boot camp. In this extensive two-part interview, he talks with David Martin about his years in Afghanistan and Iraq, following orders from the Bush administration that he characterized as incoherent, and serving as Secretary of Defense under President Trump. He also talks about his distaste for his colorful nickname, "Mad Dog," and shows off his library of 7,000 books, to which he's added another - his own, titled "Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead."
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[@rays4142]

General Mattis was my commanding officer at one point during my Marine Corps career. He is an outstanding person who I will follow all my life. He does not expect respect, he naturally earns it. One of the few officers that I served who truly cared for the troops. Great interview and my thanks for his service.

[@gentlewarriorjourney4426]

I was with General Mattis and David Martin at his favorite hometown pub during this interview. Blessed to know the Mattis family

[@mattisekeli6435]

Nice to make your acquaintance... lmao jk

[@kerryjones1257]

They give you some China kick back money or what?

[@dragland7268]

Would love to meet him one day. What an amazing leader.

[@Jay-gr9ij]

Tell him ordinary people think he's a POS

[@user-zm6yh3ux7l]

​@@Jay-gr9ijThat's because ordinary people who never served have no clue. They still think presidents have something to do with gas prices lol.

[@zoeabundantmind7170]

“I’m not tormented by standing up for freedom”

[@willbrink]

Mattis is the leader we need. The best leaders are a reluctant leader.

[@takedashingen741]

It was a great interview. Tough questions were asked and Mattis responded thoughtfully and well.

[@jtschwinghammer]

Humble, motivational man! Many have come before him many will come after him but he will forever be in Marine Corp history and lore as the warrior monk!! Semper Fi Sir!!!!

[@kshepard52]

Monk? I doubt it!

[@Saicharan-hk9id]

Democrat or Republican , you really have to appreciate him

[@ArthuriusMorganaximus]

I just learned what Eminem is going to look like in 20 years

[@paulattaboyatreides6414]

ahhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[@marcuswright4592]

Thank you he looked so much like Eminem in his younger picture wow

[@jimgregory6185]

Who gives a crap about Eminem

[@francisphillips53]

What a humble Marine, Thank you for your service.

[@MilitaryHistoryVisualized]

finally, waited for a new interview for quite some time.

[@dumptruck1091]

!!!!!

[@noodles5438]

Since he is not married he should get a dog or something, seeing him alone like this is pretty depressing from what he once was.

[@Bikinigirl05]

When retired military officials (Generals, Admirals) like Dempsy, Mullen, Thomas, McRaven, Mattis, Kelley, Powell, Allen, Milley and Hayden warn that our Republic is under attack by our president, it may be time to listen.

[@grayslate219]

Bikinigirl05 How are we under attack by the President?

[@stephenmccandless5113]

You are one of those who would like to overtake the republic not Trump...Traitor !!

[@mattjones8254]

could be that these Generals have gone globalist......

[@stephenmccandless5113]

Fascist traitors all of them !!

[@anitacastelli1321]

All deep state war mongers. Zero wars with Trump. Theyre going broke

[@macberry4048]

It's only pressure if you feel it

[@andrewschneider377]

What a humble flex “I was a pretty average Marine”

[@joeyakathug5215]

General Mattis is just a pure-blooded Warrior We have to treat a pure-blooded warrior with pure-blooded respect

[@anthonygordon9483]

He was too much for obama and trump was too much for him. So what do you think about trump. Mattis said and it was quoted "My views on treating allies with respect... are strongly held". That was part of his resignation with trump. Bottom line the problem with our country is not the people that serve us and our government. Its the people that vote them in. If you strongly believe your statement then you will know it was best for our country to vote trump out.

[@23v0lv32]

He’s never actually been IN direct combat

[@Tyler-vw9bh]

@@23v0lv32 He has a Combat Action Ribbon and Bronze Star with V for valor (granted, those get handed out pretty liberally to higher ups). Obviously he wasnt running point man in the stack but he has at least taken enemy fire.

[@mayheamk]

Greatly admire General Mattis! Thanks for this piece!

[@timothylarsen2885]

I sered 14 years. i respect an officer that is capable can or is willing to fight with you and give credit where it's due. And is humble in his achievements.

[@aequitas8749]

One of the best generals in the history of the United States.

[@reidparker1848]

From O-4 upwards, officers are politicians. Responsible for nothing, given credit for everything. There is no such thing as "leading" a gigantic unit like a regiment or a division, it is more about giving actual leaders (from the Battalion or Company downwards) their objectives. I am sick and tired of people demanding that I conceptualize warfare in terms of divisions. To do so is impossible and wrong. A division is 26 companies that may or may not fight together. Squad, Platoon, and Company. Everything "higher" is more of a geographic/organizational concept.

[@Scriptum_1]

@@reidparker1848 High command warfare isn't about strategy on a chessboard or leading the men in the battlefield like other commanders did in the past. Modern Generals and Admirals are nowadays a kind of project managers dealing with the sucess of a project like any company: costs, scope of the project, schedule, adcquisitions, resources, air support, logistic chain, risks, etc. That being said Mattis was a good general fighting an inferior enemy. I don't know if the best but good.

[@largecaucasian3006]

Smart, compassionate & hard as nails. These are the types of leaders we need.

[@NestorMaravi]

“Don’t get wobbly when the going gets tough.”

[@d.b.cooper5096]

Afghanistan war was dumb and the Iraq debacle was criminal. Semper Fi.

[@mikepfister3542]

F and A. Semper Fi!

[@papajeff5486]

Humility is becoming…I’m an old retired vet.. Just to see this video, to listen, I am sitting here reveling hearing the voice of a general. I was taught that an 18% loss in a battle is acceptable…I was a grunt for a while. Got out, went to school and came back in. I reflect on this commentary, the badness I experienced. Let the young men have it. I’m glad to look out on my little river in East Tennessee, peacefully watching the Canadian Geese and Merganser Ducks. Once in a while I get to see three little otters. I’m thankful the fighting was over there, not over here.

[@ppowerproductions2953]

Thank you James for your service and for fighting for our freedoms and rights

[@kerryjones1257]

Fast forward a year from this and Mattis is literally working for a globalist company selling America to China. Cohen Group. Google it. It will make you sick to your stomach. That’s on top of already working for the General Dynamics. Google that beauty too.

[@BladePocok]

@@kerryjones1257 Cohen Group is a Washington DC based firm, isn't that matter?

[@texaspapa9445]

We need more Generals like him!

[@claytonbrannon2812]

We have them. Generals are not hungry for publicity. They stay in the background doing their jobs.

[@Dylan_Goodboy]

Really cool to see Mattis was from my home state of Washington

[@Roofbarkroyal]

Dylan Goodboy ayyyee

[@el7jake]

Likewise, even though I'm not from the Tri-Cities area (Kennewick, Richland, Pasco).

[@monkeyahh1343]

Yep I'm from everett

[@johno9399]

A draft dodger claiming the general is "overrated."

[@grayslate219]

John O Obama and Clinton were draft Rogers too. Lol

[@johno9399]

@@grayslate219 What do they have to do with him?

[@joeyakathug5215]

@@grayslate219 Obama was born in 1961. The last active draft ended in 1973. How can a 12 year old boy dodge a draft when he has 5 years left?

[@lukelewis9165]

@john singer and just like that you have violated article 92 and 134 of the UCMJ...... to anyone that read this guys comment, not all Marines think the same because no 2 marines are the same. My opinion and statement are not that of the USMC but of my own

[@christianhagele7758]

“A lion doesn’t lose sleep over the opinions of sheep.”

[@fly2247]

“Sudden pull outs” are the worst😢

[@tnt0northtravelministriest627]

I so wish he would run for POTUS

[@melanieohara6941]

tim brotsch Yes, the similarities to General Ike Eisenhower are significant!🙋🏼‍♀️

[@madkabal]

I'm glad you didn't he's already been caught with a scandal could you imagine how many other scandals he be caught with that's the last thing we need right now, this guy needs to shut up and retire already he's very dishonest

[@c3aloha]

madkabal MATTIS 2020!!’ Oorah!!!

[@c3aloha]

#MATTIS2020

[@madkabal]

@@c3aloha General Dynamics would like that. did you know that he is currently on the board of directors at General Dynamics? Why is that I wonder? why is it that he was awarded such a high position in weapons company? Huh it's almost as if he's been working for that company since he became the SECDEF and they awarded him for it. f*** this guy it's very obvious why he was furious about the Syrian pull out

[@decafmocha211]

Thank you for your Service General. Respect.

[@FINALLYOUTAFTER7]

10:10 “I put pressure on myself, I don’t feel pressure from others”. This guy is concrete.

[@mrpeel3239]

Such decency, patriotism and candor. When is he running for President?!

[@codekeeper5828]

Regardless of political beliefs or ideologies. Im a great fan of Gen. Mattis.

[@oogrooq]

The people who should run for president never do.

[@trappedintime8273]

He honestly seems like a good man and not a war monger.

[@WilliamSwartzendruber]

Eisenhower didn't want to be president.

[@Wanderer25]

He and Colin Powell should've ran for office. But unfortunately they have too much integrity and decency for politics.

[@illyrianshield4234]

Great warrior. Everybody can learn something from this kind of man.

[@douglassauvageau7262]

"Honest and forthright". No warrior can receive a better epitaph.

[@douglassauvageau7262]

In the 'Great Beyond', I hope to share a beer with Jim Mattis.

[@barrysmith8186]

SEMPER FI!

[@TigerDriver66]

James Mattis is a hero. Man can just connect with his troops. Made our military stronger.

[@curious_one1156]

Lockheed Martin made the US military stronger.

[@terrencemilton5088]

He was still able to enlist. Respect to him. learned alot from him.

[@FINALLYOUTAFTER7]

He’s a gentleman. But he’s terrifying.

[@kowanmcgarry]

He is one of the greatest generals of our lifetime.

[@franciscoduran-dt3of]

Really is the marines respected this guy

[@kowanmcgarry]

@@franciscoduran-dt3of Yes.

[@calibama722]

Omg this man is my whole entire motivation. Such a role model my dream is to join the marines & he is such a role model . So strong & wise

[@M4A1MA5TER]

Terry Bowen Don’t join the marines. Be smart and join the air-force. Trust me

[@lunafringe10]

Oh really Cali?? 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@lunafringe10]

So he was in jail, a common crook.

[@Bikinigirl05]

His dissension demonstrates his oath to his republic and not to corrupt political parties. He is a true fighter.

[@Bikinigirl05]

When retired military officials (Generals, Admirals) like Dempsy, Mullen, Thomas, McRaven, Mattis, Kelley, Powell, Allen, Milley and Hayden warn that our Republic is under attack by our president, it may be time to listen.

[@cadejosv]

May God bless you General! You are one helluva of a leader!

[@leilagomulka5690]

I had the honor of doing the invocation and benediction with General Mattis on stage after his first tour in the Middle East . It was an honor.

[@TheWolfInTheGrass]

This man was a part in some way of all my units actions during my first two deployments as an 0311. Id follow him into war again if it ever required it of me. What we were told to do was dangerous, violent, and difficult. But you knew what you were being instructed to do, was essential or he wouldnt be asking it. Damn good leader.

[@johnnypruitt8108]

War is not a Game. Thank You Marines!

[@mrboatshoe]

Looked like Slim Shady in his teen photo ( hotter than a set of twin babies) 😂😂

[@apesgrape]

mrboatshoe... His looks like he’s related. Like he could be his Dad or Grandpa, Military men get around,never know

[@larrysouthern5098]

This was a great piece on Gen. James Mattis!!! It would be good to see a more in-depth show an hour or so on him!! I like history and I think Americans need to know more about this incredible patriot!!! I had a deja vu moment and I thought about Gen. Douglas MacArthur and I remember a quote he said "Old Soldiers Never Die.....They just fade away!!!" Maybey I'm missing something here but...Anyway...Thank you for your service!! And to all our men and women in uniform!! God bless you all!! It's a thankless job!!! I don't think we've heard the last of Gen .James Mattis!! Not at all!!! Good show Sunday Morning... I'm impressed!!!

[@kenton6098]

There’s a reason that generals who’ve commanded men in combat have bags under their eyes. Those are bags of responsibility.

[@zilufuzi]

An American hero. 🇺🇸🤜💥🤛

[@lisagomez9626]

I have met jim and he loves his country. He is a very kind person, He will have my vote anytime !!

[@FrankGutowski-ls8jt]

He’s gullible and a very very poor judge of character.

[@karenlm9062]

Perhaps the reason he was ousted had more to do with his shift from soldier following orders to leader making orders.

[@charlespackwood2055]

He's not a politician. He is a man of convictions. That's why he reads Marcus Aurelius. Politicians constantly test the wind with a finger in the air. Soldiers don't have the luxury of caring extensively about winds.

[@c3aloha]

So obvious we need a real warrior and moral leadership. MATTIS 2020!!!

[@kerryjones1257]

Fast forward a year from this and Mattis is literally working for a globalist company selling America to China. Cohen Group. Google it. It will make you sick to your stomach. That’s on top of already working for the General Dynamics. Google that beauty too. He should be jailed.

[@carlmarx3038]

@@kerryjones1257 if mattis should be jailed, trump should be exiled

[@jphillipsf]

General Mad Dog Mattis is the real Slim Shaddy.

[@whoputyouontheplanet3345]

Yep 👌

[@MiKE-jz6jt]

He is and always will be a mans man.. my favorite General..

[@manuelcristobal8962]

Your so humble sir and still the best

[@USNveteran]

We are so fortunate to have had people like this serve our country. But once again hearing how we dropped the ball on eliminating osama bin hiding is frustrating. In Gary Berntsen's book "Jawbreaker" he had also sent a request up the chain asking for 700 Rangers to seal off the mountain passes in Tora Bora. Unfortunately he got no response and they high tailed it across the border. Thanks to all now serving, those who have, and those who will in the future. FLY NAVY!!!

[@robertring4252]

Jimmy Carter did the same thing. No new wars. Cut military spending. Concentrate on domestic policy. Brokered peace between Palestine and Israel. Life long devoted christian. Do you have the same opinion about him?

[@BeautifulPlanet-blue]

Salute

[@WakeMarine]

Great place to grow up. I was up North from Richland. Brewster, WA. Semper Fi. USMC 95-00

[@thatguysemperfi171]

Mattis for potus

[@Zyprus]

4:47 ... His eyes.. they speak many years of combat and death and loss and sorrow over the years of his service to protect our country. God bless him and all he and his warriors have done for all of us. God bless sir!!!

[@FrankieNeedles323]

Zyprus2012 He was never directly in combat. Only ordered others into the meat grinders.

[@DavidFutrell-xp1de]

Great man

[@ronparcke-wms2146]

You might want to ask that old cold, wrt gold fish why is he a millionaire on a general's salary. Although , he mafe a few token good logistical contributions to the Army, he was still a bottom dwelling swamp creature. Investigative journalists you should investigate him deeper. He should've been demoted to O-5 by the Commander-in-Chief , followed by an Officer Discharge. It's unfair that commissioned officers cannot also receive bad conduct discharges, otherwise, I'd recommend him a General Discharge.

[@leesamichelle1796]

What a man. Somehow a war general has such a calming air about him. I'd happily vote him in for president.

[@Saicharan-hk9id]

He's a good man. Doesn't support women in combat.

[@Dwightaroundyolips]

He should absolutely run for POTUS. He'd have my vote

[@genewheeler6320]

This was a good man. Old-school

[@ChristopherLydon-il6ih]

We are NOT loosing anything at all in any manner

[@trapper4676]

yea, and he refused to go in and help an US Army Special Forces Team that was getting overrun. left them to die. horrible person, horrible General.

[@nancyking9033]

An on going war is job security 4 the Generals

[@NestorMaravi]

Didn’t know he had spend some time in jail. Another thing we have in common!

[@geraldmclaughlin5709]

I don't get it. First, he says he didn't think Saddam could do much to hurt America. Then, after invading because of Weapons of mass destruction that weren't there, he calls the men defending their country from invaders, "terrorists".

[@velmex12]

If you think that this could possibly be anything other than a puff piece you are very naïve. If David Martin did anything other than a puff piece he would be persona non grata at the Defense Department where he has worked for many years. If CBS sent an outside reporter to do this piece, Martin would still be frozen out of the Defense Department. That's the way the world works.

[@cleopatraregina4098]

Impresionantă redare, din memorie, a evenimentelor. Genial General James N. Matti's este generalul născut unul la 1000 de ani! Un om de mare valoare!

[@ttrestle]

While I agree with multiple things he says, and disagree with others, one of the most important things I heard was General Mattis calling out the insanity of the illegal second Iraq War started by conservative, plutocratic oligarchs.

[@carlblier925]

Colonial ‘Had’ Another Outstanding Suggestion….paraphrased,, but, The Order never came. Mat God Bless, brilliant, eloquent , General James Mattis.

[@maminbanbhan]

War is foggy but Mattis is my figure of a general

[@FINALLYOUTAFTER7]

15:14 “we could tear this country apart” It’s 2024. Look what happened.

[@walterheinen5298]

Sold his county out for the military industrial complex ( $$$$) and you guys cover for him. We win in the end.

[@Brunkvic]

I wish mattis would run for president. too many presidents have not listened to him. I like Trump; but his biggest mistake was feuding with mad dog.

[@kerryjones1257]

Why? Mattis is a piece of crap. Your just uniformed. Fast forward a year from this and Mattis is literally working for a globalist company selling America to China. Cohen Group. Google it. It will make you sick to your stomach. That’s on top of already working for the General Dynamics. Google that beauty too. He should be jailed.

[@closeoutsaleusa5322]

Leave it to CBS Sunday Morning to dedicate almost 17 minutes to a war mongerer. They didn't call him "Mad Dog" for nothing.

[@jarhead1814]

One thing is for sure- Gen. Mattis read 7,000 books and the president he served under hasn’t read SEVEN

[@donmackay7149]

Thanks Sir.

[@brendtoconnell6119]

Great General and interview.

[@darrencorrigan8505]

Thanks, CBS.

[@patrickwilson2650]

The Iraq war was a war for Bush and his friends could make money. We stayed to long in Afghanistan. And Iraq.

[@thomasmatlock3881]

Thank you for your service to our country General.

[@israel9149]

"It would be like a 5 year jail sentence" 🤣

[@PatrickORourke-zj3yj]

A GREAT GENERAL!!!!!

[@snowbaordguru]

Sounds like Catcher in the Rye was based off the young Mattis. I had no idea he was that wild.

[@davidcollison8973]

I like this guy!

[@hankmilledge4376]

Really liked this interview.

[@quandaledingle8960]

How can we get this guy to run for president

[@milldawgj9598]

He a class act.

[@mountaindoom8909]

He believes in troop welfare he replaced a lt. On for Christmas so he can spend time with family

[@devildawgpryde4764]

I invaded Kuwait near James Mattis. Funny how the incident at Al Wafra isn't in your book or this interview. James owes his career to some other young Marines who kept their mouths shut.

[@John-mf6ky]

Never knew Mattis was from the PNW, small world.

[@whatabouttheearth]

Mattis was a hitchiking travellar? I was a hitchhiking travellar after I was in the Corps PS: knowing the Marines it probably stands for 'Colonel Has Another Obviously Stupid idea' 😄 but they're arent gonna say it like that are they? When I was in school of infantry in March 2001 the instructors always said "we're going back to Iraq, we don't know how or why call it grunt sense, but were going back to Iraq", that was before 9-11, boy did they ever call it

[@jeffreyhonafius1264]

Thank you for your service general. Semper fi marine.

[@bodezzy212]

A Marines Marine, one of the greatest to lead in uniform! Wish he would have stayed out of politics.

[@MatthewWilson-vl7qc]

Many ,Weak Presidents ,wasting ,some of Our Best warriors : China ,is Smiling ,Thank You , Mr. Mattis

[@j0ey4real]

That would definitely be interesting for Mattis to run in 2020.

[@mattisekeli6435]

nice to know u support me... jk lol