but as you know, president obama fired him and essentially, so did i. >> keeping 'em honest, if "essentially fired" means "did not fire," what the president said would be true. it doesn't mean that, however. general mattis resigned in protest of the president's policies and even released a letter detailing their differences. now, there was a long, proud tradition of that in the military and in u.s. government service, but you don't see it much anymore, because people these days want to stay as close to power, as long as they possibly can. but mattis resigned. and his resignation letter is polite, but very clear about the president's actions. now, because of that letter, the president got angry and moved up mattis' departure date, essentially shoving mouth in door. that is what you get for loyal service to this president. so, enjoy the ride. another thing that happened today was also unusual, not something you hear every day, an american president doing really what no american president has