Trump Told Defense Head He Doesn’t Want To Go To War With Iran

(FILES) In this picture dated July 18, 2017 US President Donald Trump and Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan (R), are seen during a cabinet meeting on July 18, 2018, at the White House in Washington, DC. - ... (FILES) In this picture dated July 18, 2017 US President Donald Trump and Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan (R), are seen during a cabinet meeting on July 18, 2018, at the White House in Washington, DC. - Donald Trump on December 23, 2018 announced he would replace Defense Secretary Jim Mattis with his deputy Patrick Shanahan, days after the outgoing Pentagon chief quit while citing key policy differences with the US president. "I am pleased to announce that our very talented Deputy Secretary of Defense, Patrick Shanahan, will assume the title of Acting Secretary of Defense starting January 1, 2019," the Republican leader tweeted, accelerating Mattis's planned departure by two months. (Photo by Nicholas Kamm / AFP) (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images) MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

President Donald Trump told acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan this week that he didn’t want to go to war with Iran, according to a Thursday New York Times report.

Despite saber-rattling by Trump administration officials like National Security Adviser John Bolton and State Secretary Mike Pompeo, Trump made it clear to Shanahan that he doesn’t want to escalate conflict with Iran into full-blown war.

The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that Trump was getting irritated with Bolton and Flynn for their “warlike” strategy with Iran.

“They are getting way out ahead of themselves, and Trump is annoyed,” an official told the Post. “There was a scramble for Bolton and Pompeo and others to get on the same page.”

Naturally, POTUS is denying any infighting and accusing the “Fake News” of making it up.

Latest News
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Associate Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: