According to a Pentagon announcement, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was hospitalized with bladder-related symptoms. Major General Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, said security personnel transported Austin to the hospital at approximately 2:20 p.m. on February 11.
Mr. Ryder noted that Mr. Austin is currently still working and Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks is always ready to take on the role if required.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. (Photo: AP)
The White House and Congress , as well as numerous Pentagon officials, including the Deputy Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, were all informed of Austin's hospitalization.
Previously, Mr. Austin was diagnosed with prostate cancer in early December 2023 and received treatment at Walter Reed in late December. He had to return to the hospital on New Year's Day 2024 after experiencing complications from surgery.
However, at the time, the Pentagon admitted that it had not promptly notified the administration of President Joe Biden, as well as the public, about Austin's hospitalization.
The fact that the U.S. Defense Secretary was hospitalized without prior notice to President Joe Biden and other senior administration officials for several days has raised serious questions about transparency in the administration. Republicans have criticized the Pentagon's handling of information regarding Austin's illness, and the Defense Secretary is expected to testify before the House Armed Services Committee at the end of February on the matter.
On February 1st, in his first press conference since being hospitalized, Austin admitted that his handling of the situation when he had to be hospitalized for treatment had been inadequate.
“We did not handle this properly. I should have informed the President about my cancer diagnosis. I should also have communicated with my team and the American public. I take full responsibility. I apologize to my colleagues and to all Americans,” the Pentagon chief said.
Kong Anh (Source: CNN)
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