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And it just -- to me it was to be able to -- first of all, the letter is just an incredible letter the way it's dictated. but it sounds like it's definitely dictated directly from him the way he thinks and speaks. and secondly, it was to try to cover himself for what was unleashed with the turks going ahead and invading into northern syria and the consequences that flow thereafter. >> i want to ask you about something else, which sounds incredible. we're told by a democratic source familiar with the meeting that senator schumer read a quote from former defense secretary james mattis who said, ...

President of turkey. it just -- it does not read as -- i mean at one point i think it sort of ends with, don't be a tough guy. don't be a fool. i'll call you later. >> yeah, that's how it ends. and it just -- it's just -- to me, it was to be able to -- first of all, the letter is just an incredible letter the way it's dictated, but it sounds like it's definitely dictated directly from him the way he thinks and speaks. and secondly, it was to try to, you know, cover himself for what was unleashed with the turks going ahead and invading into northern syria and the consequences that flow thereaft...

At his word. as you say, we have seen this pattern time and again with former secretary of state rex tillerson, with former national security adviser h.r. mcmaster, with the attorney general, jeff sessions. the president beginning to engage in a pattern of not so unequivocal endorsement, shall we say, of certain cabinet members. it got a lot of attention when out of what appears to be the clear blue, the president said maybe mattis will leave. now the president calling mattis on the airplane on his way out to asia, where that sound came from. the secretary is traveling there. the secretary say...

We discussed those areas and exchanged our views on those topics. very thorough and in-depth discussion in the time we had and appreciate the chance to speak with the president-elect and look forward to the coming administration. >> governor -- >> reporter: now the transition team does confirm that mitt romney is in the running for something, so the question is could it be secretary of state? and if it was offered, would mitt romney even accept? now one other name to take note of, retired general james mattis. it's somebody trump met with for almost as long as he met with mitt romney yesterday...