After running into a bit of controversy over statements made in Bob Woodward’s Obama’s War, National Security Adviser General James L. Jones (SFS ’66) is stepping down from his duties within the next two weeks.

Jones, a former NATO commander (and Hoya basketball player), had been at the post since the beginning of the Obama administration.

During a White House press conference, President Barack Obama credited Jones with reshaping the national security staff to make the country better equipped to handle the new types of threats facing the nation. The president also said that he relied on Jones on a daily basis for advice.

Despite Jones’ departure, the national security office will not be without a Georgetown alum. Obama appointed Jones’ deputy Thomas Donilon to replace him and appointed Denis McDonough (MSFS ’96) as the new deputy national security adviser.

McDonough previously served as the National Security Council chief of staff, an adviser to Obama’s 2008 campaign, and as an adviser to former visiting professor Senator Tom Daschle.

Photo: AP

h/t Professor Anthony Clark Arend