Trump to nominate retired General Mattis for Pentagon

US President-elect Donald Trump stands with retired Marine Gen. James Mattis following their meeting at the main clubhouse at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, US, November 19, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

CINCINNATI - US President-elect Donald Trump said on Thursday night he would nominate retired Marine Corps General James Mattis, known as "Mad Dog" and renowned for his tough talk and battlefield experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, to lead the Pentagon.

"We are going to appoint Mad Dog Mattis as our secretary of defense," Trump told a rally in Cincinnati. He said the formal announcement would be made on Monday.

Mattis is a revered figure in the Marine Corps and known for his distrust of Iran.

The Washington Post and CNN reported earlier that Trump had chosen Mattis, but Trump spokesman Jason Miller said earlier on Twitter that "no decision has been made yet with regard to Secretary of Defense."

While the nomination of the 66-year-old Mattis would likely be popular among US forces, it would have to clear a bureaucratic hurdle.

Because he retired only in 2013, Mattis would need the US Congress to waive a requirement that a defense secretary be a civilian for at least seven years before taking the top job at the Pentagon. His impressive combat record, however, may deter some Senate Democrats from trying to block his nomination.

Trump has described Mattis as "a true general's general."