Just a thought I had on Mad Dog Mattis, too.
I know there's ambiguity here about him.
Presumably, he's headed for military tribunals.
If that's the case, of course he would have to distance himself from POTUS.
POTUS is very careful not to be perceived as someone who puts all his buddies in places where they can go after his enemies.
So many optics necessary.
Always believed Mattis is our guy. The idiots have to believe our guys are one their side.
Make sense?