Chuck Hagel Resigns As U.S. Defense Secretary

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel announced his decision to step down Monday among rumors of pressure within the Obama administration regarding international issues.

Hagel announced his resignation Monday in the White House's State Dining Room. Although President Barack Obama said during Hagel's resignation speech that the decision to step down had been Hagel's, multiple media reports are suggesting that Hagel stepped down after receiving pressure from President Obama regarding various global issues, such as the Islamic State in the Middle East and the fighting between Ukraine and Russia.

When announcing Hagel's resignation, Obama said the secretary of defense guided the U.S. "through a significant period of transition," describing Hagel as "a young Army sergeant from Vietnam who rose to serve as America's 24th secretary of defense."

"If there's one thing I know about Chuck it is that he does not make this or any decision lightly," the president continued. "This decision does not come easily to him."

Hagel called the position within the Oval Office as "the greatest privilege of my life."

"You should know I did not make this decision lightly. But after much discussion, the President and I agreed that now was the right time for new leadership here at the Pentagon," Hagel added in a separate statement, released by the Pentagon.

John McCain told a local Arizona radio station Monday that he believes Hagel was forced out of his position by the president after the two failed to agree on certain international issues, such as the Islamic State.

"They're gonna say well it was time for a change and all that [...] but I can tell you he was in my office last week, he was very frustrated," McCain said.