Defense Undersecretary Wormuth Steps Down

Christine Wormuth, the under secretary of defense for policy, will step down after seven years of service in the Pentagon and the White House, the Defense Department announced Friday. Brian McKeon, Wormuth’s principal deputy, will step up in an acting role, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said in a statement. Wormuth is stepping down after serving in the role since June 2014 to “spend more time with her family,” Carter said. “Throughout her career, Christine has devoted herself to enhancing America’s national security,” he said. David Shear, the assistant secretary of defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, will become the principal deputy undersecretary for policy, Carter said. The move marks the second undersecretary to leave the Pentagon this month after acting undersecretary for personnel Brad Carson stepped down.