Trump’s Own Defense Secretary Just Defied Him Over Climate Change
The circus administration of President Donald Trump does not tolerate dissension within their hall of mirrors. Trump has proved through his words and deeds again and again that he will fire individuals who speak out against him or his policies.
This forces Trump’s subordinates to smile and nod like hostages if they wish to keep their jobs, which is why it is curious that Trump’s Secretary of Defense publicly staked out a wildly contrary position to Trump’s regarding climate change.
During Secretary of Defense James Mattis’ senate confirmation hearing in January, he revealed he is an ardent believer in climate change. This goes entirely against Trump’s view that climate change is a hoax perpetuated by the Chinese government. Back in 2012 Trump tweeted:
The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 6, 2012
Trump also said during an interview with the Washington Post in March, 2016:
I am not a great believer in man-made climate change. I’m not a great believer.
Testimony was given by Mattis to the Senate Armed Services Committee after his confirmation hearing in the form of a written answers which have not been previously published. Mattis likely knew the words he wrote would not be made available publicly and therefore felt safe to share his true views on climate change, rather than the script he is required to repeat like a parrot to appease his boss. He, in part, wrote:
Climate change is impacting stability in areas of the world where our troops are operating today. It is appropriate for the Combatant Commands to incorporate drivers of instability that impact the security environment in their areas into their planning.
The views of Mattis are also at odds with Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) head Scott Pruitt who embarrassed himself at the beginning of March when he claimed to doubt the findings of scientists regarding climate change. Watch Pruitt’s disgusting comments below:
As the Secretary of Defense, it is the job of Mattis to oversee all aspects of security regarding the United States. He reiterated his position, and belief, on climate change to revolve around the nation’s security. Mattis also wrote:
I agree that the effects of a changing climate — such as increased maritime access to the Arctic, rising sea levels, desertification, among others — impact our security situation. I will ensure that the department continues to be prepared to conduct operations today and in the future, and that we are prepared to address the effects of a changing climate on our threat assessments, resources, and readiness.
Now that the words of Mattis have become public fodder will Trump then move to have him removed from his administration? This seems highly unlikely as Trump already humiliated himself in attempting to find a replacement for his disgraced National Security Adviser, Mike Flynn, who was forced to resign. Beyond that Trump has flip-flopped on climate change and in an interview with the New York Times, after the election on Nov. 22, he said, “I think there is some connectivity. Some, something. It depends on how much.”
Connectivity to climate change being a hoax? That it exists? That Trump is lying to appease his base and while being a fool he can see with his own eyes how the weather is changing at a rapid pace? What Trump actually believes, and what his policies reflect, are two different matters. At this time Trump has placed an individual in charge of the EPA who does not believe in the EPA’s prerogatives, and he has a Secretary of Defense who is making ready for the coastal areas of the world to flood causing worldwide famine and displacement of millions. If anything this is merely another example of how out of sync the Trump administration is with itself.
Watch the full confirmation hearing of Mattis below:
