Mattis hasn't "vilified" "backstabbed" or "undermined" Trump, as this paragraph conveniently included in the article makes clear:
Mattis’ refusal to weigh in on Trump directly is one of the aspects of his military background he has maintained even after leaving office. This devoir de reserve, as Mattis put it, “the duty of silence” when you leave an administration, has frustrated his critics who say he should speak out.
I said I look to see a campaign to vilify the President by Mattis. Mattis said he wouldn’t criticize a sitting President but I’m betting to sell the book he will.
Mattis hasn’t “vilified” “backstabbed” or “undermined” Trump, as this paragraph conveniently included in the article makes clear:
Mattis’ refusal to weigh in on Trump directly is one of the aspects of his military background he has maintained even after leaving office. This devoir de reserve, as Mattis put it, “the duty of silence” when you leave an administration, has frustrated his critics who say he should speak out. But then that wouldn’t serve “The Resistance.”
He stabbed POTUS in the back with his resignation letter. It’s patently obvious here what he is doing cashing in on this suggestively titled book deal. It could have waited until after the election, of course.
Read his WSJ interview in which he indirectly blames Trump for his resignation, saying that US policy was undermining allies, which forced him to resign.
I read the article twice and am more convinced on second read that he’s a political tool. An effective general, sure, but politically ignorant.