The president-elect recently announced his nomination of General James Mattis as secretary of defense in violation of federal law. 

The law prohibits retired military personnel from severing as the civilian head of the Defense Department for seven years following separation from the military. The general retired from duty in May of 2013.

The response from the Republican-controlled Congress was not to advise the president-elect to follow the law but rather to insert a change to that law in an appropriations bill.

This change is a special exemption that applies only to General Mattis – not to any other potential nominee that might be proposed for this position in the future.

The original prohibition was passed for a solid reason. The military of the United States of America, unlike many non-democratic countries, is under the control of our civilian government. That prohibition was intended to help protect that principle.

Is this the type of governance we can expect from the president-elect and the Republican Party?

Dennis A. Rollins lives in Lakeport, Calif.