Mattis becomes Trump's first defense secretary

Date: 2017-01-20
Entry type: person-network-event
Current status: Served as defense secretary from January 2017 through December 2018
Last reviewed: 2026-09-03

Defense Department history records Mattis's service beginning January 20, 2017, after Trump selected him.

Entities and roles

Donald J. Trumpnetwork root
James Mattissecretary of defense

Relationships in this file

Donald J. Trumpdefense secretary in Trump's first administrationJames Mattis
politicaldocumented2 sourcesCited claim 1

Claims and evidence

factdocumented
After Donald Trump selected James Mattis for secretary of defense, Mattis began serving on January 20, 2017.
- U.S. Department of Defense Historical Office: James N. Mattis
- Trump White House Archives: Statement by the President on Cabinet Nominee Confirmations