Vice President Joseph R. Biden is reportedly “ticked off” with the way Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s resignation was handled by the White House.
An administration official told Politico on Monday that Mr. Biden scowled in the State Dining Room as the news was delivered that Mr. Hagel, a friend, would not remain on staff for the duration of the administration.
“This is like the owner of a team that is unable to make wholesale changes on the field, so the only option left is to change the coach and hope it looks better to the fans in the bleachers,” P.J. Crowley, a spokesman for the State Department during Obama’s first term, told Politico.
The former Republican senator joins Robert Gates and Leon Panetta as the third defense secretary to leave the Obama administration under difficult, strained circumstances. Both Messrs. Gates and Panetta have been critical of the White House’s strategy against the Islamic State group since returning to the private sector.
“When the president goes through three secretaries, he should ask, ’Is it them or is it me?’” said Howard P. “Buck” McKeon, California Republican, who chairs the House Armed Services Committee, Politico reported.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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