Trump spokesman disputes report that Mattis named defense secretary

“My sources are better than their sources. Trust me on that one,” Jason Miller told the Washington Examiner, referring to the Washington Post, after the newspaper reported that the deal had been made.

Two more transition sources separately confirmed to the Examiner that no decision had been made.

On Thursday afternoon, the Washington Post cited “people familiar with the decision” in saying that Trump had chosen Mattis.

Miller then tweeted that “No decision has been made yet with regard to Secretary of Defense.”

Despite the campaign’s denial, Donald Trump Jr. initially tweeted a story saying Mattis has been chosen, then deleted it and posted Miller’s denial.

Michael G. Flynn, son of retired Lt. Gen. Mike Flynn, picked to be Trump’s national security adviser, said the Post report was an attempt by the “liberal media” to divide the Cabinet.

The Twitter account of the III Marine Expeditionary Force applauded the report, saying Thursday evening: “Congratulations to General Mattis for being selected for Secretary of Defense!”

Confirming Mattis would require changing the law, since officers must be out of uniform for seven years before taking such a job. Mattis retired from the Marine Corps in 2013.