President Obama is forcing Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel out of his administration after less than a year on the job according to multiple reports.
The New York Times broke the news early Monday morning, reporting that Hagel was resigning “under pressure” and was quickly confirmed by administration sources.
According to NBC News, senior defense officials said that Hagel was forced to resign.
“He wasn’t up to the job,” one senior official said.
Hagel took office in Feb 27, 2013 with heavy praise from Obama when he was first nominated.
“Chuck represents the bipartisan tradition that we need more of in Washington. For his independence and commitment to consensus, he’s earned the respect of national security and military leaders, Republicans and Democrats — including me,” Obama said after nominating Hagel in 2013. “In the Senate, I came to admire his courage and his judgment, his willingness to speak his mind — even if it wasn’t popular, even if it defied the conventional wisdom.”
Obama is expected to announce his decision at the White House State Dining Room at 11:10 a.m.
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