Defense Secretary James Mattis
James Norman MattisOvernight Defense: Trump recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital | Mattis, Tillerson reportedly opposed move | Pentagon admits 2,000 US troops are in Syria | Trump calls on Saudis to 'immediately' lift Yemen blockade Trump has yet to name ambassadors to key nations in Mideast Mattis, Tillerson warned Trump of security concerns in Israel embassy move MORE said he does not carry tokens of gratitude to hand out to U.S. troops and has instead opted for saving for bombs.
Mattis told Breitbart News he is saving up for bombs after a reporter relayed a message from a U.S. Marine who asked whether the secretary was carrying challenge coins during a trip to an international terrorism conference in Jordan earlier this year.
The anecdote comes as the Trump administration approaches its one-year mark.
Mattis was overwhelmingly confirmed by the Senate in a 98-1 vote earlier this year.
He has had an eventful year as Defense secretary, dealing with a slew of issues from the growing crisis in North Korea to President Trump
Donald John TrumpHouse Democrat slams Donald Trump Jr. for ‘serious case of amnesia’ after testimony Skier Lindsey Vonn: I don’t want to represent Trump at Olympics Poll: 4 in 10 Republicans think senior Trump advisers had improper dealings with Russia MORE's proposed ban on transgender recruits in the military.
The Defense secretary issued a stark warning in September to North Korea, telling the rogue regime it would be met with a "massive military response" if it continued to threaten the U.S. and its allies.