WASHINGTON — Chuck Hagel is stepping down as defense secretary, The New York
Times and Associated Press report.

President Barack Obama is expected to announce Hagel’s resignation in a Rose
Garden appearance on Monday.

The New York Times reports the decision comes after a series of meetings over
the past two weeks.

Hagel, a former Republican senator, has served as Pentagon chief since early
2013.

Follow @WTOP on Twitter and on WTOP Facebook page.