--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Bannon veered from “Mad Dog” Mattis—the…" description: "\"“Bannon veered from “Mad Dog” Mattis—the retired four-star general whom Trump had nominated as secretary of defense—to a long riff on torture, the surp..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56d/michael-wolff-423_national-security_bannon-veered-from-mad-dog-mattis-the-re_3150332.jpg" --- # Bannon veered from “Mad Dog” Mattis—the retired four-star… ![“Bannon veered from “Mad Dog” Mattis—the retired four-star general whom Trump had nominated as secretary of defense—to a long riff on torture, the surprising liberalism of generals, and the stupidity of the civilian-military bureaucracy. Then it was on to the looming appointment of Michael Flynn—a…” quote by Michael Wolff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56d/michael-wolff-423_national-security_bannon-veered-from-mad-dog-mattis-the-re_3150332.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56d/michael-wolff-423_national-security_bannon-veered-from-mad-dog-mattis-the-re_3150332.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56d/michael-wolff-423_national-security_bannon-veered-from-mad-dog-mattis-the-re_3150332.jpg) > ““Bannon veered from “Mad Dog” Mattis—the retired four-star general whom Trump had nominated as secretary of defense—to a long riff on torture, the surprising liberalism of generals, and the stupidity of the civilian-military bureaucracy. Then it was on to the looming appointment of Michael Flynn—a favorite Trump general who’d been the opening act at many Trump rallies—as the National Security Advisor. “He’s fine. He’s not Jim Mattis and he’s not John Kelly … but he’s fine. He just needs the right staff around him.” Still, Bannon averred: “When you take out all the never-Trump guys who signed all those letters and all the neocons who got us in all these wars … it’s not a deep bench.”” [Michael Wolff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-wolff/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote critiques the lack of experienced, moderate military leaders in the Trump administration, suggesting that replacing them with loyalists weakens strategic depth. **In simple terms:** Replacing experienced generals with loyalists reduces expertise. Key Takeaway Beware of loyalty over competence. Themes leadership politics military Mood critical analytical Type political historical When to use this quote - political analysis - historical context Key Concepts institutional decay bureaucracy Questions to Reflect On - How does political loyalty affect national security? - What balance should exist between loyalty and expertise? A Different Perspective Loyalty may compromise effectiveness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bannon Veered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bannon-veered-5652669/) [General Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/general-trump-5652668/) [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jim-mattis-224678/) [Michael Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/michael-flynn-674851/) [National security](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/national-security/) [Staff Bannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/staff-bannon-3455250/) [Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trump/) [Trump General](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trump-general-3570003/) ## Related quotes > [“The president couldn’t stop talking. 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Then it was on to the looming appointment of Michael Flynn—a favorite Trump general who’d been the opening act at many Trump rallies—as the National Security Advisor. “He’s fine. He’s not Jim Mattis and he’s not John Kelly … but he’s fine. 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