In a recent internal review, the Pentagon found no fault with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's undisclosed week-long absence from work due to complications from cancer surgery.
The review, laden with legal jargon, offers little in terms of accountability and is peppered with recommendations signed by Austin himself.
The document states, The director of administration and management will develop and codify internal guidance for making determinations regarding the assumption of functions and duties of the secretary of defense, minimizing subjectivity in any guidance, and will provide me with a proposed communication and training plan for all relevant organizations and officials.
The review's closest approach to self-criticism is a paragraph discussing the transfer of authority, referred to as T.O.A. in the document. It reads, The secretarys staff focused on ensuring continuity of the mission following standing processes. Their efforts, while respecting the secretarys privacy, combined with the uncertainty of a medical situation and its bearing on how best to execute a T.O.A. in the absence of an established methodology for making such an unplanned decision, may have contributed to the lack of comprehensive information sharing about the situation.
Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder defended Austin's actions, stating there was no "ill intent" when Austin kept his incapacitation from the public and senior officials for days. The review found no evidence of ill-intent or attempts to obfuscate.
Austin underwent surgery for prostate cancer and was under general anesthesia. No transfer of authority memorandum was executed. It remains unclear whether the president, national security advisor, chairman of the joint chiefs, or any other party with a need to know was informed. What is known is that Austin's readmission to the hospital, to intensive care, was shrouded in secrecy.
The Department of Defense released a statement late Friday afternoon, revealing that Austin was in the intensive care unit at Walter Reed NMC due to "complications" from an unspecified "elective" surgical procedure. He had been admitted to the ICU on New Year's Day. Congress was not informed of Austin's incapacity until 15 minutes before the rest of the world. The service chiefs, service secretaries, and other senior Pentagon staff found out two hours before the public announcement.
Austin's deputy, Kathleen Hicks, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and President Joe Biden were informed on Thursday. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman C. Q. Brown was told on Tuesday. Austin's chief of staff, Kelly Magsamen, reportedly found out on Tuesday but decided to wait until she returned to work on Thursday before informing anyone.
Austin's personal staff began telling people that he was "working from home," shifting the issue from Austin's actions alone to the loyalty of his entire staff to him, rather than to the institution or president they served.
The person leading the inquiry was reportedly involved in Austin's actions, raising further questions about the integrity of the investigation. The DOD IG is also conducting an investigation, but expectations for any significant findings are low.
Austin's actions reflect a broader pattern of dereliction of duty visible across President Joe Biden's administration. The crisis on the southern border, the tepid response to terrorists closing the Red Sea to US shipping, and the transportation secretary's delayed response to a devastating train derailment in East Palestine are just a few examples of how duty and responsibility have been sidelined in favor of power and privilege.
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