House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiHoyer: House should vote on COVID-19 aid — with or without a bipartisan deal Ruth Bader Ginsburg lies in repose at Supreme Court McCarthy threatens motion to oust Pelosi if she moves forward with impeachment MORE (Calif.) told reporters Thursday evening that she was “shaken” by the news of Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis’s imminent resignation.

“I’m shaken by the news because of the patriot that Secretary Mattis is. I think everybody in the country should read his letter of resignation,” she told reporters at a press conference scheduled to discuss a looming government shutdown.

"I am shaken by the resignation of General Mattis. For what it means to our country, for the message it sends to our troops, and for the indication of what his view is of the commander-in-chief."

Rep. Pelosi: "Yes, I am shaken by the resignation of Gen. Mattis, for what it means to our country, for the message it sends to our troops and for the indication of what his view is of the commander-in-chief." https://t.co/KBpb1dGW5m pic.twitter.com/WMXGonl6aY — ABC News (@ABC) December 21, 2018

She called Mattis “a comfort to many of us as a voice of stability in the Trump administration.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Pelosi said Mattis stood as a safeguard against what Democrats see as Trump’s impulsive leadership style.

Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi says she is "shaken" by the news that Defense Secretary Mattis has resigned, calls him a "patriotic American" and a "voice of stability" in the Trump administration https://t.co/lBxxp0vRdw pic.twitter.com/Pg3Cma1wiR — CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) December 21, 2018

Mattis informed President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE in a letter dated Thursday that he would resign so the president could appoint a successor “whose views are better aligned.”

Mattis wrote that he believed allies should be treated “with respect” and the nation must be “resolute and unambiguous” with countries opposed to U.S. strategic interests, such as Russia and China.

“Just look at this week, the president taking troops out of Syria without really full consultation with the national security leaders of his own administration,” Pelosi said. “His reversing his position about signing a bill” to fund the government.

“There’s something that’s very wrong with the picture,” Pelosi added.

She noted that congressional leaders were briefed recently by Mattis and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoTreasury sanctions individuals, groups tied to Russian malign influence activities Navalny released from hospital after suspected poisoning Overnight Defense: Pentagon redirects pandemic funding to defense contractors | US planning for full Afghanistan withdrawal by May | Anti-Trump GOP group puts ads in military papers MORE.

“Our troops look to Secretary Mattis as a leader and now he is going to be leaving them. This is very serious to our country,” she said.

Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer Chuck SchumerCruz blocks amended resolution honoring Ginsburg over language about her dying wish Senate Democrats introduce legislation to probe politicization of pandemic response Schumer interrupted during live briefing by heckler: 'Stop lying to the people' MORE (N.Y.), who stood with Pelosi during the remarks, called Mattis “one of the few symbols, the few items of strength and stability in this administration.”

“Everything that indicates stability, everything that indicates strength, everything that indicates knowledge is leaving this administration,” Schumer added, citing the imminent departures of Mattis and White House Chief of Staff John Kelley.

He also pointed to the departure of former National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster earlier this year.