US President Donald Trump said he is unsure whether his Defence Secretary James Mattis is planning to step down, but that the retired general might and that he regards him as "sort of a Democrat."

Key points: Mr Trump told the 60 Minutes program Mr Mattis "could be" planning to leave

Mr Trump told the 60 Minutes program Mr Mattis "could be" planning to leave He said the two get along very well, but "at some point, everybody leaves"

He said the two get along very well, but "at some point, everybody leaves" A Pentagon spokesman said Mr Mattis is "laser-focused on doing his job"

In response to the comments, a Pentagon spokesman said Mr Mattis remained "laser-focused on doing his job".

"It could be that he is," planning to depart, Mr Trump told the 60 Minutes program on the US network CBS, according to an excerpt of a transcript released ahead of the show's broadcast.

"I think he's sort of a Democrat, if you want to know the truth. But General Mattis is a good guy.

"We get along very well. He may leave. I mean, at some point, everybody leaves. Everybody. People leave. That's Washington."

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This marks the first time that the Republican President has publicly said anything negative about Mr Mattis, who last month told reporters not to take seriously reports that he may be leaving.

Pentagon spokesman Colonel Rob Manning said in a brief statement: "Secretary Mattis is laser-focused on doing his job — ensuring the US military remains the most lethal force on the planet."

Mr Mattis's future has become a focus of media speculation, particularly after last month's release of a book by Watergate reporter Bob Woodward that portrayed him as privately disparaging Mr Trump to associates.

He has strongly denied making any such remarks.

Mr Trump had been deferential toward Mr Mattis, saying on September 5 his defence chief would remain in his job.

Mr Mattis is not political by nature, and previously made no secret of the fact that he was not looking to become secretary of defence — or even return to Washington — when Mr Trump was elected.

The retired Marine general had stepped down from the military in 2013 and taken a job at Stanford University.

He told his Senate confirmation hearing last year he was "enjoying a full life west of the Rockies" when the call came about the position.

Asked last month about reports he may be leaving, Mr Mattis said, "I wouldn't take it seriously at all."

Western officials privately extol Mr Mattis, whose standing among NATO allies has risen as they become increasingly bewildered by Mr Trump's policies on trade and Iran, and disoriented by his outreach to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Reuters