Obama Expected to Name Ashton Carter as Defense Chief

The White House is expected to name Ashton Carter to become the Pentagon’s next chief, replacing Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, who resigned under pressure last week, according to media reports.

Carter, the Pentagon’s former deputy, was long seen as a frontrunner to succeed Hagel. His name percolated to the top after two other names also floated, former Pentagon policy chief Michele Flournoy and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, dropped from consideration in the last week.

CNN, citing administration officials, reported Tuesday morning that Carter would be Obama’s choice “barring last minute complications.” His formal nomination could come in the next few days. As the former deputy secretary of defense, and before that as the Pentagon’s top weapons buyer, Carter is thought to know the ins and outs of the Pentagon and would be the easiest solution for a White House desperate to find someone to manage the Pentagon after Hagel announced his resignation last Monday.

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