Former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who was fired by President Trump after announcing he was leaving over differences with the president, is returning to the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, where he served as a distinguished visiting fellow from 2013 to 2015.
Mattis is a legendary former Marine commander who resigned as defense secretary in December after President Trump declared his intent to pull all U.S. troops out of Syria, against Mattis’ advice.
“Because you have the right to have a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned with yours … I believe it is right for me to step down from my position,” Mattis wrote in his letter of resignation.
Mattis intended to leave at the end of February, but after initially praising Mattis for retiring “with distinction” after making “tremendous progress,” Trump fired him a few days later, saying Mattis failed to get results in Afghanistan.
“How has he done in Afghanistan? Not too good. Not too good. I’m not happy with what he’s done in Afghanistan,” Trump said in January. “President Obama fired him, and essentially so did I. I want results.”
Mattis will serve as the Davies Family Distinguished Fellow effective May 1, according to a statement from the Hoover Institution.
“At Hoover, Mattis intends to focus his research and writing on domestic and international security policy. He will also participate at events and programs related to military and national security issues at Hoover’s campus in California and office in Washington D.C.,” the statement said. In making the appointment, Hoover director Tom Gilligan cited Mattis’ “wealth of knowledge and experience” and “his honor, character, and relentless commitment to safeguarding American ideals.”
“I have long relied on the work of Hoover to supplement my understanding of the critical challenges facing our country and to help guide tough decisions,” Mattis said in a statement of his own. “I believe we have an obligation to pass on the lessons we’ve learned so that future generations can study, learn and become better. Hoover has made this part of its mission, and I look forward to returning.”
[Also read: Trump once celebrated ‘Mad Dog’ Mattis, now dismisses him as ‘our previous person’]
