I CHOOSE YOU

Obama Picks Brennan For CIA

Will nominate Hagel as secretary of Defense.

President Obama will reportedly nominate John Brennan as CIA director Monday. Brennan, who currently serves as a counterterrorism aide, a favorite for the position, is considered a highly respected man devoted to his job. Brennan’s nomination won’t thrill those in the upper echelon of the intelligence community, who say that his relationship with the president gives him a license to micromanage their work. He's also been the face of the administration’s targeted-killing drone program—which some say should disqualify him from the position. Meanwhile, Obama is expected to name former Republican senator Hagel to succeed Leon Panetta at the Pentagon. The choice of Hagel, who split from his party to oppose the war in Iraq, is expected to spark a confirmation battle.