Chuck Hagel to Quit as Defense Secretary

1
>>Follow Matzav On Whatsapp!<<

chuck-hagelPresident Obama formally announced Chuck Hagel’s resignation from his post as Secretary of Defense today, less than two years after a long and painful confirmation process to install him in the job. Obama said that Hagel concluded it was an “appropriate time for him to complete his service.” He praised Hagel as “no ordinary Secretary of Defense,” citing how his military service during the Vietnam War helped him establish a “special bond” with troops.

Obama also said Hagel will stay on as Secretary of Defense until a replacement is selected and sworn into office. In the summer, Hagel, a Republican, appeared to contradict Obama’s assessment that ISIS was a “JV team.”

White House officials later described Hagel’s remarks as unhelpful. White House insiders say Hagel never penetrated the circle of Obama loyalists, despite carrying out the president’s goals of trimming the Pentagon budget and bringing back troops from Afghanistan. The short list of replacements includes Michèle Flournoy, a former under secretary of defense; Democratic Sen. Jack Reed; and former deputy secretary of defense Ashton B. Carter. Read more at the New York Times.

{Andy Heller-Matzav.com Newscenter}


1 COMMENT

Leave a Reply to Farv Cancel reply

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here