President announces controversial cabinet picks

President Obama announced two nominations for his cabinet but neither pick comes without some criticism from lawmakers.


The President officially nominated John Brennan as his pick for CIA Director and former US Senator Chuck Hagel for Defense Secretary.


Hagel, who would replace outgoing secretary Leon Panetta, is remembered for controversial comments on Israel and Iraq. He previously called the 2007 Iraq troop surge "a mistake."


"The most dangerous foreign policy blunder in this country since Vietnam," said Chuck Hagel, former Senator.


Brennan would replace General David Petraeus as CIA Director.


Brennan previously withdrew his name for the same job in 2008 after being linked to questionable interrogation techniques during the Bush administration.

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