對於盟邦給予尊重，對於那些同時扮演惡意行動者與戰略競爭者的勢力則保持清醒的洞察，我處理相關議題40多年，才得到上述觀點，並且堅定奉行至今。我們一定得盡其所能，維持一個對我們的安全、繁榮與價值最有利的國際秩序，在盟邦的團結之下，我們的努力更將事半功倍。
My views on treating allies with respect and also being clear-eyed about both malign actors and strategic competitors are strongly held and informed by over four decades of immersion in these issues. We must do everything possible to advance an international order that is most conducive to our security, prosperity and values, and we are strengthened in this effort by the solidarity of our alliances.
包括上述議題與其他政策，您都有權挑選一個跟您的立場更為相近的國防部長，我也相信，現在辭職對我來說是一個正確的選擇。我任期的最後一天是2019年2月28日，這個日期應該足以讓您提名繼任人選，確保國防部的運作不致受到影響，國會聽證會與明年2月的北約防長會議都得以順利進行。此外，在參謀首長聯席會議主席9月交接之前，將國防部長的職務進行交接，也能夠確保國防部本身的穩定。
Because you have the right to have a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned with yours on these and other subjects, I believe it is right for me to step down from my position. The end date for my tenure is February 28, 2019, a date that should allow sufficient time for a successor to be nominated and confirmed as well as to make sure the Department's interests are properly articulated and protected at upcoming events to include Congressional posture hearings and the NATO Defense Ministerial meeting in February. Further, that a full transition to a new Secretary of Defense occurs well in advance of the transition of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in September in order to ensure stability Within the Department.
