Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been hospitalized since January 1st due to complications following a surgery to treat prostate cancer. The officials at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center announced this news on Tuesday. This revelation comes after a week of uncertainty, during which Austin was hospitalized, but the Pentagon deliberately kept the reason behind it under wraps.
Austin underwent the initial prostate cancer surgery on December 25th, where he underwent general anesthesia. Unfortunately, on January 1st, he started experiencing complications, including severe abdominal, hip, and leg pain, accompanied by nausea. These symptoms were later diagnosed as a urinary tract infection. Consequently, on January 2nd, he was admitted to the intensive care unit at Walter Reed to receive treatment for intestinal issues.
The delay in informing the White House about his emergency hospitalization until January 4th raises concerns regarding the communication process tied to matters of national security. The lack of transparency and the lingering unanswered questions surrounding the delegation of command have shaken confidence in Austin on Capitol Hill. Some lawmakers have even called for his resignation as a response to these lapses.
Addressing the Issues
In an effort to rectify the situation, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder announced during a press briefing that Secretary Austin has taken responsibility for the notification failures. The Department is now implementing immediate measures to improve their notification procedures. Additionally, Austin’s chief of staff has instructed Pentagon officials to conduct a thorough 30-day review of the notification process for the assumption of functions and duties of the Secretary of Defense.
Biden’s Support
Despite the calls for Austin’s resignation, President Joe Biden has expressed his unwavering support for the defense secretary. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby confirmed on Monday that there are no plans to replace Austin. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reiterated Biden’s stance, assuring that the president has “complete confidence” in Austin’s capabilities. Furthermore, Biden had a warm conversation with Austin over the phone on Saturday evening, further solidifying his support.
It remains unclear whether Austin informed the president about his cancer diagnosis before the official announcement on Tuesday. When asked about the timeline, Ryder from the Pentagon deferred the question to the White House.
Austin’s secret hospitalization occurred during a critical time when the U.S. was deliberating and executing various significant national security measures, including military strikes in the Middle East. The defense secretary’s health complications undoubtedly added an extra layer of complexity to the decision-making process within the administration.
As this is a developing news story, stay tuned for updates as more information becomes available.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s hospitalization due to complications following his prostate cancer surgery has raised concerns and uncertainty among lawmakers about his capacity to fulfill his duties. The delay in communication to the White House and the lack of transparency have been met with criticism and calls for his resignation. However, President Biden has shown steadfast support for Austin, publicly expressing his complete confidence in the defense secretary. As the investigation into the notification processes continues, the Pentagon aims to address the failures promptly and implement improvements to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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