(Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel resigned on Monday, leaving under pressure as President Barack Obama faces critical national security challenges, including fighting Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and revising plans to exit Afghanistan.
It was the first major change to Obama's Cabinet since his Democrats were routed in midterm elections three weeks ago, and Republicans, who now control both houses of Congress, are looking for a new approach from the White house.
REPUBLICANS DEMAND CHANGE OF APPROACH
House Republican Speaker John Boehner said the change at the Pentagon "must be part of a larger re-thinking of our strategy to confront the threats we face abroad, especially the threat posed by the rise of ISIL (Islamic State)."
Senator John McCain, who is expected to become chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee which will vet the new nominee, called for changes in Obama's defense policies.
McCain, a fierce critic of the president, told Reuters Hagel had been "very unhappy" about micro-management from the White House and did not believe that Washington had a strategy to combat Islamic State.
Hagel will remain as Defense Secretary until his replacement is confirmed by the Senate. Congressional sources said it was almost certain that would not happen until after January, when Republicans take over and will control the confirmation process.
