WASHINGTON — President Obama will nominate a new defense secretary as well as a new CIA director on Monday.
CNN reports that former Sen. Chuck Hagel will be the nominee for defense secretary. Hagel is a Vietnam veteran who was a senator from 1997 until 2009. He is expected to face opposition from pro-Israel groups, based on his stance on Iran and Hamas, as well as gay rights groups, for a 1998 comment he made. Hagel also has been critical of U.S. policy in Afghanistan.
For CIA director, CNN confirmed with an official that it will be Counterterrorism and Homeland Security Adviser John Brennan. Brennan will replace the acting CIA director, Michael Morell, who took over following David Petraeus’ resignation.
