Trump selects Gen. James Mattis for defense secretary

President-elect Donald Trump announced tonight he will nominate retired Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis as secretary of defense. Mattis, 66, retired after a 44-year career in the Marines. His final position was as commander of the U.S. Central Command from 2010 to 2013, during which time he was in charge of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In a tweet Sunday, Trump referred to Mattis by his nickname “Mad Dog” and described him as “A true General’s General!” For Mattis to be confirmed, Congress will have to waive a law that bars retired military officers from becoming defense secretary within seven years of leaving active duty. He would be the second retired general to receive such a waiver; the first was Gen. George C. Marshall in 1950.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.