Napolitano Resigns To Work As UC President

Janet Napolitano, the now former Secretary of Homeland Security, resigned Friday. No, she's not sick of the debate on immigration reform. She's taking a new job as the University of California's next president. Huh.

Napolitano—who has been the head of homeland security since 2009—will be the first female president of the university. She's also an unusual pick, since, you know, her background is in politics. The University said they considered Napolitano because she's "someone who has run large public agencies and has demonstrated an interest in improving higher education."

In a statement, Napolitano announced her nomination for UC's president this morning, and said working with the department "has been the highlight of my professional career."

"I thank President Obama for the chance to serve our nation during this important chapter in our history, and I know the Department of Homeland Security will continue to perform its important duties with the honor and focus that the American public expects," Napolitano said.

Napolitano's career as secretary hasn't come without controversy: she released an intelligence report that listed U.S. veterans as potential terrorist threats, and supported immigration reform while increasing deportations. Check out her most controversial moves, according to ThinkProgress.org.

President Obama praised Napolitano and thanked her for her service, saying she has worked on "some of the toughest challenges facing our country," in a statement Friday.

Not all are sad about Napolitano's departure. In a statement Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama said “Secretary Napolitano’s tenure at the Department of Homeland Security was defined by a consistent disrespect for the rule of law...Whoever replaces Secretary Napolitano must restore the rule of law, as well as the morale of ICE officers which has plummeted under her tenure.”

So...no gift basket?