Trump claims he 'essentially fired' Mattis

US President Donald Trump claimed Wednesday that he had "essentially" fired Jim Mattis, even though the former Pentagon chief had pointedly quit his post over multiple disagreements.During a rambling monologue to White House journalists at the start of a cabinet meeting, Trump lashed out at his former defense secretary even as his replacement, Patrick Shanahan, sat at the president's side.How has he done in Afghanistan?" Trump said, lamenting the ongoing Afghan security crisis and the amount Ame