Trump’s Pick For Sec. Of Defense Threatens To QUIT (VIDEO)

President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense is threatening to check out of the transition team after Trump’s inner circle appointed a secretary of the Army without his input.

Former General James Mattis was considered one of the more sane picks the Trump transition team made for a cabinet spot. A pick for the Army secretary position traditionally gets feedback from the current or future Secretary of Defense, and Mattis was extremely angry, according to CNN. He threatened to quit if Trump continued to pick people to serve in his department without his consultation.

The man in question is Vincent Viola, another one of Trump’s business buddies. Mattis objected to Viola’s appointment after learning of questionable stock trading practices in Viola’s trading firm, although was more than miffed that he was appointed without approval in the first place.

Several sources say that the argument got so heated that Vice President-elect Mike Pence had to call Mattis to personally smooth things over on Trump’s behalf.

Mike Pence doing Presidential work already I see. Why am I not surprised?

Despite many reports (including CNN and the Washington Post) stating the obvious conflict between Mattis and Trump, incoming White House press secretary Sean Spicer is denying it all:

“Great transition at DoD. Reports to contrary completely false and come from sources who do not have any knowledge of our transition efforts.”

Not quite sure I believe you there, Sean. Then again, any official statement from Trump or any one of his staff should be met with a large measure of skepticism.

Sources close to Mattis say that the General wants a “strong voice” in deciding who gets Department of Defense jobs, and is committed to picking qualified candidates regardless of political affiliation. In other words, he does not want to be limited to putting only Trump “yes men” in important roles. Smart.

Watch a quick biography of General Mattis and his background here: