President Obama receives an update from officials via teleconference on the ongoing response to Hurricane Sandy, in the Situation Room of the White House, Oct. 30, 2012. Pictured, from left, are: John Brennan, assistant to the president for homeland security and counterterrorism; Tony Blinken, national security advisor to the vice president; David Agnew, director for intergovernmental affairs; Alyssa Mastromonaco, deputy chief of staff for operations; and Chief of Staff Jack Lew.
(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)