George Conway: ‘Speaks volumes’ that Mattis did not praise Trump in resignation

George Conway, a lawyer who’s married to White House counselor Kellyanne Conway, on Thursday analyzed outgoing Defense Secretary James Mattis’s resignation letter, saying it included “not a word of praise” for President Trump.

Mattis announced on Thursday that he would resign because Trump deserved a secretary “whose views are better aligned with yours.”

{mosads}Conway tweeted that the resignation letter lacked the usual pleasantries and the absence of praise “speaks volumes.”

“No pro forma ‘it has been a privilege to have worked with you to [something],’ or formulaic ‘I am proud that we were able to [fill in here]’—or even the usually obligatory ‘thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve,’” Conway noted.

The nicest line in the letter was the opening, “Dear Mr. President,” he added.

Not a word of praise for Trump. Speaks volumes. https://t.co/WxbVbWLy5s

— George Conway (@gtconway3d) December 20, 2018

No pro forma “it has been a privilege to have worked with you to [something],“ or formulaic “I am proud that we were able to [fill in here]”—or even the usually obligatory “thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve.”

— George Conway (@gtconway3d) December 20, 2018

Mattis’s announcement came a day after the White House announced the U.S. would be withdrawing its troops from Syria. Additional reports suggest a decrease in the number of troops serving in Afghanistan.

Pentagon officials have reportedly pushed back against the decision.

“General Jim Mattis will be retiring, with distinction, at the end of February, after having served my administration as Secretary of Defense for the past two years,” Trump tweeted on Thursday.

….equipment. General Mattis was a great help to me in getting allies and other countries to pay their share of military obligations. A new Secretary of Defense will be named shortly. I greatly thank Jim for his service!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 20, 2018

Conway’s frequently criticizes Trump and the administration on Twitter, earning him national attention given his wife’s senior position in the White House.