April 18, 2017 North Korea 'Recklessly Tried to Provoke,' Mattis Says North Korea's most recent unsuccessful missile launch is an attempt to "provoke" and underscores why the United States is working with the Chinese government to keep the Korean Peninsula nuclear-free, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said.
Feb. 1, 2017 Mattis Issues Budget Guidance, Says 2017 Submission Will Rise Defense Secretary Jim Mattis issued budget directives aimed at addressing shortfalls in the department and building a more lethal joint force.