Mattis opposes defense budget cuts 

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis today came out against efforts to cut the defense budget, aligning himself with GOP defense hawks in Congress and against the White House Office of Management and Budget, which is eyeing a $33 billion reduction.

Mattis, who spoke at the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, CA, referenced a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed by Republican defense committee chairmen. 

“I agree -- cutting defense will not close the deficit, and doing so would be a dangerous disservice to our troops and the American people they serve and protect,” he said, according to a prepared copy of his speech. 

“We all know that America can afford survival,” he said. 

Deputy Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan said in October OMB had ordered the Pentagon to prepare for a total defense budget of $700 billion, rather than the $733 billion it had planned. 

The op-ed, written by Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and his House counterpart Mac Thornberry (R-TX), argues the total defense budget must be $733 billion in fiscal year 2020.