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Secretary of Defense James Mattis is known for his brutally honest quotes about war and the military. On Friday, he once again personified his reputation during a meeting with the press.
What happened? What did he say?
During a rare press gaggle at the Pentagon Friday afternoon, a reporter from Voice of America asked Mattis what concerns he has for 2018. Mattis responded with just seven powerful words.
"I don’t have concerns. I create them," he said.
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis talked to reporters at the Pentagon this afternoon. Asked his biggest military concern… https://t.co/plwaJM9ygq— Marcus Weisgerber (@Marcus Weisgerber) 1515182882.0
This isn't the first time Mattis has wowed with a headline-grabbing response.
Last May, CBS "Face The Nation" host John Dickerson asked Mattis what, if anything, keeps him awake at night, given the number of hostile threats to the United States, such as Iran, North Korea and Islamic terrorism.
Without skipping a beat, Mattis said: "Nothing. I keep other people awake at night."
And just last month, Mattis was asked if he carries challenge coins with him, which are unit-specific coins that military unit leaders hand out to troops as tokens of appreciation or achievement.
Mattis told the reporter no, and offered this five-word response: "I’m saving money for bombs."
