Former Pentagon official Ashton Carter emerges as the expected nominee to replace Chuck Hagel as U.S. defense secretary, sources familiar with the situation tell Reuters.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN JOSH EARNEST, SAYING:
"It's been widely reported that Mr. Carter is on the short list. But in terms of where things stand in that process I just don't have any additional information to share at this time."
Carter was the No. 2 official at the Pentagon from October 2011 to December 2013.
He has a bachelor's degrees in physics and medieval history from Yale, and a doctorate in theoretical physics from Oxford University.