Top counterterrorism official Michael Leiter is stepping down, as the Obama administration crafts a new counterterrorism strategy, Fox News confirms. A senior counterterrorism official told Fox News that Michael Leiter, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, is leaving. There is no "short list" of possible replacements, but White House counterterrorism adviser John Brennan is expected to "heavily influence" the search for a new director, the official said.