Robert Mercer's resignation (as Co-CEO) letter

He is still on in a research position.

From: "Robert Mercer"
To: all
Sent: Thursday, November 2, 2017 10:13:29 AM
Subject: Past, present, and future
Dear Colleagues,
During the past year, I have been the object of a great deal of scrutiny from the press. I have declined to
comment on what has been written about me, imagining that with time the attention would
dissipate. Because that has yet to happen, I have decided to correct some of the misinformation that
has been published about me. It is not my intention to impose the views I describe below on anyone
else.
My goal is simply to explain my thinking, the very essence of which is that all of us should think for
ourselves.
I believe that individuals are happiest and most fulfilled when they form their own opinions, assume
responsibility for their own actions, and spend the fruits of their own labor as they see fit. I believe that
a collection of individuals making their own decisions within the confines of a clear and concise set of
laws that they have determined for themselves will advance society much more effectively than will a
collection of experts who are confident in their knowledge of what is best for everyone else. This is why
I support conservatives, who favor a smaller, less powerful government.
A society founded on the basis of the individual freedom that flourishes under a limited federal
government has no place for discrimination. Of the many mischaracterizations made of me by the
press, the most repugnant to me have been the intimations that I am a white supremacist or a member
of some other noxious group.
Discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, creed, or anything of that sort is abhorrent to
me. But more than that, it is ignorant.
The press has also intimated that my politics marches in lockstep with Steve Bannon's. I have great
respect for Mr. Bannon, and from time to time I do discuss politics with him. However, I make my own
decisions with respect to whom I support politically. Those decisions do not always align with Mr.
Bannon's.
Without individuals thinking for themselves, society as a whole will struggle to distinguish the signal of
truth from the correlated noise of conformity. I supported Milo Yiannopoulos in the hope and
expectation that his expression of views contrary to the social mainstream and his spotlighting of the
hypocrisy of those who would close down free speech in the name of political correctness would
promote the type of open debate and freedom of thought that is being throttled on many American
college campuses today. But in my opinion, actions of and statements by Mr. Yiannopoulos have caused
pain and divisiveness undermining the open and productive discourse that I had hoped to facilitate. I
was mistaken to have supported him, and for several weeks have been in the process of severing all ties
with him.
For personal reasons, I have also decided to sell my stake in Breitbart News to my daughters.
I would also like to inform you of a decision I have reached with respect to my role at Renaissance, an
organization I adore with colleagues whom I deeply respect and admire. I am 71 years old, the same age
that Jim Simons was when he retired. I do not plan to retire, but I do plan to relinquish my management
responsibilities.
Peter Brown and I have been Co-CEOs for the past eight years. On January 1, 2018, I will step down
from my position as Co-CEO and resign from the board of directors. I will continue with the firm as a
member of its technical staff, focusing on the research work that I find most fulfilling. Peter will
continue on as CEO, and I will provide him with my counsel whenever he feels that I can be helpful to
him and to the company where I have spent so many wonderful years.
RLM