Former Secretary of Defense James Mattis is sharing how he believes that the American people “don’t need” political advice from military generals.

“There’s a long-standing tradition why you do not want the military to be engaged in Politics,” Mattis said during an interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press.”

“I have a lot of faith in the American people,” the former defense secretary said, adding, “They know how to vote.”

Mattis — who resigned from the position in December of 2018 – continued:

“They don’t need military generals telling them that they think this political assessment is the one they should go with or the other one is, that sort of thing. Especially as corrosive as the political debate has grown in the country. This would be the worst time I think for military people to step out like that.”

Watch Mattis’ interview below:

Since leaving his position, Mattis has made it clear that he “will not speak ill of a sitting president,” he previously told CBS.

“He’s an unusual president, our president is,” Mattis said, adding, “And I think that especially with just the rabid nature of politics today we gotta be careful. We could tear this country apart.”

Mattis has expressed that he views “internal divisiveness” as the greatest threat to the United States.

Additionally, the former defense secretary has shared the hope of an end to partisan divides following the election.

“We’re going to have to learn to listen to one another,” Mattis said during an ABC News “This Week” interview, adding, “… And when an election’s over —when we’re done dividing ourselves and going into the voting booths and having good strong arguments with one another — once the election is decided, let’s get back together and start governing.”