(PHOTOS: Obama's second-term Cabinet) 
 
 McDonough, who holds the title of deputy national security adviser, served since October 2009 as the chief of staff to the National Security Council, regularly overseeing the so-called deputies meetings where key decisions are hashed out or teed up for more senior officials. McDonough has been involved in just about every major national security decision made by Obama since he took office, from the surge in U.S. troops in Afghanistan to the launching of the commando raid that killed Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden. “People throughout the foreign policy apparatus found out very quickly that when the national security adviser called, he might be calling for himself or for the president,” said James Mann, the author of “The Obamians,” a book about Mr. Obama’s foreign policy team. I’m not surprised Obama would consider him for the [chief of staff] job.” 
 
 “The president knows [McDonough] well and trusts him,” said Matt Miller, a former Justice Department spokesman who worked with McDonough on war-on-terror issues.
– President Obama's next chief of staff isn't exactly a household name, but he's long been a trusted adviser to the president: Politico and the New York Times say Obama will name Deputy National Security Adviser Denis McDonough to replace Jack Lew. The Times describes him as an "intense, ascetic 43-year-old," adding: "A fervent Obama loyalist, Mr. McDonough has been immersed in every major foreign policy crisis and debate of the president’s first term, enjoying a degree of access and level of trust that goes far beyond his age or job title." Politico has a similar take: "McDonough has been involved in just about every major national security decision made by Obama since he took office, from the surge in US troops in Afghanistan to the launching of the commando raid that killed al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden." The National Journal says the pick will reinforce criticism "that Obama's governing style is too insular," given that it's yet another longtime insider moving into a key position.