Defense Sec Mattis Downplays Tillerson Firing: 'Job Goes On'

Defense Secretary James Mattis reportedly downplayed the significance of President Donald Trump's decision to fire Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, saying "the job goes on."

At a press briefing, Mattis said most of the international community considers the firing "a Washington, D.C., story," The Washington Post reported.

"It's not about whether the United States is still an ally to the countries I've been, or the countries I've been talking to," he said, the Post reported. "I've signed letters while I've been out here with the normal coordination. The job goes on."

He added mentions of Tillerson's exit didn't "even come up" during a recent trip to Bahrain — except from U.S. reporters.

"The durability of our relations with these countries, with the United States having strong institutions, goes beyond personalities," Mattis said, the Post reported.

• Tillerson Exit Gives Pompeo Opportunity to Scrap Iran Deal
• Savage Criticizes Trump Twitter Firing, Nation in 'Turmoil'