'World's most overrated general:' Trump punches back after Mattis attack

President Trump on Wednesday night fired back at James Mattis after the former Secretary of Defense earlier in the day issued a scathing rebuke of the president.

Mattis wrote in a statement published by The Atlantic that Trump "tries to divide us" and that the country has experienced a three-year dearth of "mature leadership." 

Trump, known as a counterpuncher who often strikes back at critics, launched a Twitter attack in which he described Mattis as "the world’s most overrated General" and said that Mattis's "primary strength was not military, but rather personal public relations."

Protests and civil unrest have erupted in the wake of the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minnesota. Mattis in his Wednesday statement expressed support for protestors who he said are seeking equal justice and he said that people should "not be distracted by a small number of lawbreakers." He also opposed the idea of using the U.S. military to address the protests.