Obama accepts Defense Secretary Hagel's resignation

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced his resignation on Monday, saying he and President Barack Obama agreed it is the "right time for new leadership" to take charge, amid reports he is stepping down under pressure.

Announcing Hagel's departure at the White House, Obama praised him as an "exemplary defense secretary" and "no ordinary secretary of defense." Hagel agreed to stay on until a successor is named and confirmed by the Senate, Obama said.

"Last month Chuck came to me to discuss the final quarter of my presidency and determined that having guided the department through this transition, it was an appropriate time for him to complete his service," Obama said, flanked by Hagel and Vice President Joe Biden.

"Chuck has been an exemplary defense secretary, providing a steady hand as we modernized our strategy and budget to meet long-term threats while still responding to immediate challenges like ISIL and Ebola," Obama said. "Thanks to Chuck, our military is on a firmer footing, engaged in these missions and looking ahead to the future."

Hagel, a Republican, came into office in late February last year. Obama said Hagel's acceptance of his offer to serve as defense chief, despite coming from a different party, sent a "powerful message" that when it comes to national security, partisan interests are put behind.

Obama did not give a clearer reason for Hagel's departure. And Hagel also said only, "After much discussion, the president and I agreed that now was the right time for new leadership here at the Pentagon."

But news reports said that he has been pressured to step down.

The New York Times reported that Obama's decision to let Hagel go is a recognition that the threat from the Islamic State would require a different set of skills than those Hagel possesses. He was initially brought on in order to manage the withdrawal from the war in Afghanistan and a shrinking defense budget.

Hagel had trouble penetrating the tight team of former campaign aides and advisers who form Obama's closely knit set of loyalists. He struggled to fit in with Obama's inner circle and was viewed as never gaining traction in the administration, the report said.

According to the paper, officials have already been speculating over who will succeed Hagel. Candidates include Michele Flournoy, the former under secretary of defense; Senator Jack Reed (D-RI); and Ashton B. Carter, a former deputy secretary of defense. (Yonhap)