Free Republic

Nearly a week since U.S. President Donald Trump fired national security adviser Michael Flynn, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul advised against appointing former U.N. Ambassador and White House Chief of Staff John Bolton. Trump’s first choice, retired Navy special forces officer Robert Harward, who served under Defense Secretary John Mattis, turned down the position last week and reports say the White House has ruled out former CIA Director David Petraeus, who was ousted as the nation’s top spy amid a scandal over his sharing confidential documents with his mistress. Flynn resigned last week amid questions on whether he discussed sanctions with...

Criticism Rains Down on Blunt General By Esther Schrader Times Staff Writer 5:29 PM PST, February 3, 2005 WASHINGTON — The Marine general who led 65,000 troops to Baghdad in the first, furious push of the Iraq war is drawing criticism after he said of fighting insurgents in Iraq, "It's fun to shoot some people." Lt. Gen. John Mattis made the comments Tuesday at a San Diego forum on tactics in fighting the war on terror. Mattis, who has been known as "Mad Dog Mattis" to troops, is currently commanding general of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command in Quantico,...