'Unite without him': Former Pentagon chief Mattis denounces Trump over protests

Former US defence secretary James Mattis has slammed President Donald Trump's response to nationwide demonstrations triggered by the killing of George Floyd, accusing him of trying to divide the country.

"Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people, does not even pretend to try," Mr Mattis said.

He quit over Mr Trump's approach to foreign policy — particularly his decision to withdraw American forces from Syria.

In his statement, Mr Mattis singled out Mr Trump's decision to leave the White House and hold a Bible outside nearby St John's Episcopal Church.

When Mr Mattis quit the White House in 2018, he said he would not criticise the administration because he owed them a "duty of silence".

Mr Mattis said the White House should remember the words adopted by US troops before the Normandy invasion during World War II.

He has also said that he does not back Mr Trump's threat to deploy active US military troops on the streets to break up the protests