President Barack Obama plans to appoint Denis McDonough, deputy national security adviser, to succeed Treasury Secretary nominee Jack Lew as White House chief of staff next week, according to the New York Times.
Mark Landler writes McDonough has helped put together Obama’s national security team for the second term, including reaching out to Defense Secretary nominee Chuck Hagel.
He also has worked closely with John Brennan, White House chief counterterrorism adviser and Obama’s nominee to head the CIA, according to Landler.
Both McDonough and Brennan were involved in the planning of the raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound in Afghanistan as well, Landler reports.
According to The Hill newspaper, McDonough has also worked as the National Security Council’s communications director and as chief of staff to National Security Adviser Tom Donilon.
