First the big attack. Former Secretary of Defense James Mattis criticized the president very harshly. First, he called the president's actions on Monday - when a street in front of the White House was cleared of protesters to allow President Trump to be photographed in front of a church - for a violation of the constitution. On the one hand, he went hard on the president's way of leading.

"Donald Trump is the first president of my life to try not to unite the American people - who don't even pretend to try. Instead, he tries to divide us, "Mattis said.

The answer: Criticism on Twitter

It is surprising that Mattis is making this play. The general has kept a low profile since leaving the post of defense minister a year and a half ago in protest against the president's Syria policy. When asked questions about the president, he has repeatedly said that he does not intend to comment on the president's actions as long as Trump is in power.

Trump responded by criticizing Mattis on Twitter, calling him "the world's most overrated general."

His own defense minister went against him

But if the big attack from Mattis was a bit surprising then the second, small attack, was much more unexpected. Trump's own current Secretary of Defense Mark Esper also opposed the president. "I do not support a recitation of" The Resurrection Act, "Esper said. This is the law that President Trump wanted to use to use the military on violence and looting in connection with demonstrations around the country.

Many are now wondering if Mark Esper's days as defense minister are soon over.

Both Esper and Mattis are respected in the US defense, and their weight in military matters is great. With their statements, especially Espers, the likelihood of Trump carrying out military actions during the demonstrations is clearly less. This at a time when Trump needed the military's support more than a long time ago. On Tuesday night, the president also partially backed off, saying that while he was still prepared to activate the military, he no longer believed it was necessary.

Moves hard with dramatic rhetoric

So, how did Trump reason when repeatedly threatened with military? Of course, I don't know. But for those who have followed the president for some time, there is a clear pattern that is returning regardless of trade conflicts with China, negotiations with Congress or attempts to stop the violence in connection with the George Floyd protests.

Trump often goes hard with dramatic rhetoric, startling posts on Twitter and with harsh attacks on those who attack him. He calls Kim Jong-Un the "rocket man" and threatens with presidential orders if politicians are about to put forward proposals he opposes. And so he threatens the federal military unless the violence stops. After that, the president rarely backs away from the harsh words. By that point, Trump's opponents are happy that he has backed down from his initial position.