Johnson echoed other senators who told POLITICO they want a new Pentagon chief next year who will try to moderate Trump’s aversion to traditional military alliances and U.S. commitments abroad — as Mattis tried with varying success for the past two years.

Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a senior member of the Armed Services Committee, said she’s seeking a new defense secretary who “understands the importance of maintaining alliances — someone who focuses on our adversaries and foes and acknowledges the threats we face as a country.”…

Even Senate Armed Services Chairman Jim Inhofe, who has carefully sought to cultivate a relationship with Trump by muffling any public criticism, said Friday he wants Mattis’ general policy outlook to prevail.

For example, asked if he wants Mattis’ replacement to support continuing U.S. military operations in Syria and Afghanistan, Inhofe told POLITICO: “Well I would, yeah. I would, sure.”