How Obama Pushed Hagel Out of the Pentagon
The Vietnam veteran’s departure spotlights how one of Washington’s most powerful jobs—overseeing the world’s strongest military and a budget of more than $600 billion—has faded in the Obama era.
Chuck Hagel, U.S. secretary of defense, left, listens as U.S. President Barack Obama speaks in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Monday, Nov. 24, 2014.
Photographer: Andrew Harrer/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
President Barack Obama pushed Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel out of his job yesterday after less than 21 months, with White House officials citing disagreements over Iraq and Syria policy.
Hagel, who had grown increasingly frustrated with tight White House management of policy, was ready to go anyway, a U.S. defense official said. He resigned without a fight.