President Joe Biden has expressed his disapproval of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's decision to withhold information about his recent hospitalization due to complications from prostate cancer surgery.
During a visit to Allentown, Pennsylvania, the President was questioned by a reporter about his confidence in Austin, to which he responded affirmatively. However, when asked if he considered Austin's failure to inform the White House or other Pentagon officials about his hospitalization a "lack of judgment," Biden agreed, as reported by the Daily Mail.
The Pentagon announced on Friday that Austin is in "good condition" at Walter Reed Medical Center. Despite his hospitalization, Austin has continued to oversee and direct the US military's involvement in strikes against Houthi targets, maintaining communication with senior staff.
The revelation of Austin's hospitalization came as a surprise to many, including President Biden and other high-ranking officials. The Defense Secretary, who is the nation's most senior military official, was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on January 1 due to "complications following a recent elective medical procedure," according to the Associated Press. Austin's absence, which lasted several days, occurred amidst escalating international tensions and increased demands on the Department of Defense.
This lack of disclosure, which deviates from standard practice, has raised questions about the severity of Austin's illness, his decision not to inform other senior officials, and the Pentagon's contingency plan for his absence. Congressional Republicans have voiced their outrage, accusing the Department of Defense of "deliberately" concealing Austin's medical condition in a "shocking defiance of the law."
In response to these allegations, the Department of Defense stated on Saturday that Austin's condition was not made public due to medical privacy. The Pentagon also assured that Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks is always ready to step in for Austin. However, reports suggest that Hicks was vacationing in Puerto Rico during Austin's hospitalization, as reported by CNN.
Login