"While I deeply respect General Mattis's service, I will oppose a waiver," she said. "Civilian control of our military is a fundamental principle of American democracy, and I will not vote for an exception to this rule."

This pretty much sums it up. Mattis' competence, fitness for the job, character, and integrity should not even be open to debate, however........The US military should always be under civilian authority. Anything less than that is to risk becoming a military junta. I can't help be wonder if this is, in some way, a step toward military government in America.

And I'm not talking about Mattis mounting a coup. I'm talking about a generation from now, after the precedent is set here, some other Julius Caeser NOT playing the role of Cincinattus and freely giving up power.