I don't care for the guy, honestly, but I really do not think he is out to get the President. The two families got together recently. They understand each other.
I think the President asked him to go because he had not done a good job cleaning up State. This President expects results. He didn't get them and asked him to go. Powell was ready as well, I think.
I read that Powell was upset the President did not ask him back. He might have turned him down but he was upset he was not asked.