Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/brennan-and-hagel-nominated-for-key-national-security-jobs Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Story In a press conference Jan. 7, 2012, President Barack Obama put forward his nominations for key national security positions. He announced former Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel as his choice for secretary of defense, to replace Leon Panetta, and counterterrorism adviser John Brennan to serve as CIA director.