'Angry And Appalled' Former US Defence Chief Criticises Military Response To Protests

Former US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has warned of a "false conflict" after the American personnel were put on standby in an area around Washington DC.

Mr Mattis, who resigned from President Trump's cabinet in December 2018, also accused the president of setting up a “false conflict” between the military and civilian society.

"I have watched this week’s unfolding events, angry and appalled," he said.

More than one week of protests have been sparked by the death of George Floyd while in police custody.

Mr Trump deployed the National Guard to specific US areas last week, before urging all state governors to utilise the reserve force and threatening the use of full-time military were control to be lost.

At least 1,600 active duty soldiers have since been deployed and placed on standby in an area around Washington DC.

Published in American magazine The Atlantic, Mr Mattis said he never dreamed troops "would be ordered under any circumstance to violate the Constitutional rights of their fellow citizens".

He added that "at home" the US armed forces should only be used "on very rare occasions", and that "militarising our response" risks setting up a "false conflict" between the military and civilians.

"Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people – does not even pretend to try," he added.

"Instead he tries to divide us.

"We are witnessing the consequences of three years of this deliberate effort. 

"We are witnessing the consequences of three years without mature leadership."

Jim Mattis left his post as the US Defense Secretary following a disagreement over President Trump's decision to withdraw troops from Syria.

Mr Trump used Twitter to respond to the criticism from Mr Mattis, who has been relatively silent on the Trump administration since his departure.

In a series of tweets, the president called the retired four-star General "overrated", with Mr Trump claiming he had asked for Mr Mattis' resignation.

"I didn't like his "leadership" style or much else about him, and many others agree," he wrote. 

"Glad he is gone!"

Cover image: Donald Trump and Jim Mattis in 2017 (Picture: US Department of Defense).