Current Affairs - Persons - Discussion

United States President Donald Trump announced through a tweet that Defence Secretary Jim Mattis will be replaced by his deputy Patrick Shanahan as acting Pentagon chief on January 1, 2019 the date which is two months earlier than planned. Earlier Jim Mattis, had announced his resignation on 21st December 2018 due to strong policy differences with Mr Trump especially on Trump's Syria troop with drawl move but offered to stay on for two months in order to facilitate a smooth transition. Mr Shanahan, is a former executive at the aerospace giant Boeing, joined the Pentagon in July 2017 after Mr Trump nominated him and was reportedly a vocal supporter of the president's plan to establish a sixth branch of the armed forces, known as the "space force".