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General Mattis confirmed as Secretary of Defense General Mattis confirmed as Secretary of Defense
(35 minutes later)
Shortly after President Donald Trump swore in, the Senate confirmed retired Marine general James Mattis as the secretary of the Department of Defense.Shortly after President Donald Trump swore in, the Senate confirmed retired Marine general James Mattis as the secretary of the Department of Defense.
Also known as "Mad Dog" Mattis, the 66-year-old becomes the first top military officer to serve as secretary of defense since President Harry Truman's appointment of Army general George C. Marshall in 1950.Also known as "Mad Dog" Mattis, the 66-year-old becomes the first top military officer to serve as secretary of defense since President Harry Truman's appointment of Army general George C. Marshall in 1950.
The Senate voted 70-0 on Friday to confirm the nominee, the first official Trump administration cabinet member.The Senate voted 70-0 on Friday to confirm the nominee, the first official Trump administration cabinet member.
One of Trump's first official acts as president was signing a waiver Congress approved to allow Mattis to serve in his new role. Typically, defense secretaries must have been out of the military service for at least seven years, as it is a civilian post.One of Trump's first official acts as president was signing a waiver Congress approved to allow Mattis to serve in his new role. Typically, defense secretaries must have been out of the military service for at least seven years, as it is a civilian post.
READ MORE: Iraq war a ‘strategic mistake’ – leaked Gen. Mattis audio 
Mattis testified to the Senate last week that Russia was a "principal threat." He also told the confirmation hearing that he disagreed with Trump's position to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and called NATO “the most successful military alliance probably in modern history, maybe ever.”