New Name Added to List of Defense Secretary Candidates
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US Department of Homeland Security(WASHINGTON) — At least one new name has shown up on the list of candidates who could potentially replace Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel who announced Monday that he would step down from that role.
ABC News has learned that Jeh Johnson, the current Secretary of Homeland Security, may be under consideration for Hagel’s old job.
Initial reports indicated that Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., Michelle Flournoy, former Under Secretary of Defense and Ashton Carter, former Deputy Defense Secretary, were among the candidates for the job. Reed and Flournoy, however, have reportedly told the White House that they are not interested in taking over the Pentagon.
Pentagon spokesperson Rear Adm. John Kirby said Tuesday that Hagel’s decision to step down was mutually agreed to by Hagel and President Obama, and that it was not prompted by any policy disagreements.
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