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| James Mattis (Image: Wiki Commons) |
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- James Mattis, U.S. President Donald Trump's pick for defense secretary, was easily confirmed by the Senate on Friday.
In an overwhelming vote, Mattis became the first confirmed member of Trump's cabinet, hours after Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. President.
Earlier, Trump signed a waiver legislation after his inauguration to clear a legal barrier for Mattis to take office.
Under the U.S. law, a former service member is barred from running the Pentagon less than seven years after retirement from military. Mattis only retired in 2013 as the Commander of the U.S. Central Command. Trump signed the measure to grant Mattis an one-time exception.
Read the full story at Xinhua