Report: Trump picks legendary Marine General Jim Mattis for Defense Secretary

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Donald Trump James Mattis

REUTERS/Mike Segar

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump stands with retired Marine Gen. James Mattis following their meeting at the main clubhouse at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, U.S., November 19, 2016.

President-elect Donald Trump has chosen retired Marine Gen. James Mattis for Secretary of Defense, according to people familiar with the decision who spoke with Dan Lamothe at The Washington Post.

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An official announcement is expected early next week, the Post reported.

Mattis did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

After Trump met with Mattis more than a week ago, most defense watchers believed the retired Marine general was the top pick to lead the Pentagon. The President-elect described Mattis, 66, as "very impressive" and said he was "seriously considering" him for the position.

Trump later had an off-the-record meeting with media executives and on-air personalities, in which he said "he believes it is time to have someone from the military as secretary of defense," according to Politico. Other Republicans and many D.C. insiders also offered praise for Mattis, though he would require a congressional waiver to serve as Defense Secretary since he has not been out of uniform for the statutorily required seven years.

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