I'll argue that Mattis is working in the realm of the possible... for now.
Marines are smart. They know when to bull ahead. And they know when a slow advance is more prudent. And rather than a frontal assault at everything... they can figure out when to distract at the front while out-flanking. Bunker-clearing 101.
I don't think there are very many 'swamp things' in the current cabinet. Many of them, in fact, have been burned by the swamp and want payback. (Mattis was fired by Obama when he was handed a note during a speech/luncheon... telling him had been relieved and go away. The dirtiest firing you could image. Think he is part of the swamp that tried to destroy him???)
I think there are (with the possible exception of POTUS) folks who are in the cabinet recognize that they are running the 40 mile endurance march with full pack, not the PT-test sprint. And they'll let POTUS step on the mines... and brush himself off and move forward... while they put one foot in front of the other. So far, he'es seemed pretty mine-proof.... and what they're rolling back under the barrage of BS from the left and the press... is pretty impressive!
Give it time... And let the idiots show their true colors heading into 2018. A fillibuster-proof senate and a larger house-majority is not only possible... it's probable despite the natterings of the lefties who said we could never have a president Trump, either.
Maybe I'm too optimistic.... but I think we the people have a lot more power than the swamp. And we are tired of it.
Cheers,
Sirhr