run down the colors

Two years, James Mattis managed to persist
explaining to an audience of one:
diplomacy's ill-served by hissy-fits;
what's wrought in wrath is rarely rightly done.
He knows how badly Powell's name got used
by Cheney and that Cabinet of tools.
And swore he'd be the only one to choose
when it was time to quit this ship of fools.
A lonely voice for clear Intelligence,
the last adult to hold Trump's gilded leash.
Not even Conway clings to faith in Pence
if Congress found the gumption to impeach.
MadDog has pulled the ripcord, bid farewell.
Last rearguard's down! We're in the jaws of Hell.