Pentagon releases report on Defense Secretary hospitalization

The Pentagon has come under fire after releasing an internal review investigating the failure to notify the President of the Defense Secretary's hospitalization.

The incident occurred in January, when Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was hospitalized for complications from prostate cancer surgery. The review said there was “no indication of any malicious intent or attempt to conceal” the information.

However, at a press conference, Pentagon press secretary Major General Patrick Ryder had to answer about the "gaps" in the assessment.

According to Ryder, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks was on vacation in Puerto Rico and did not learn of Mr. Austin's hospitalization until three days later, when he was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on January 2.

Secretary Austin's staff then decided to hand over power to Deputy Secretary Hicks. But Mr. Ryder said the secretary never lost consciousness, and it was unclear why his staff made that decision.

Asked why Mr Hicks was not given advance notice to return to Washington DC, Mr Ryder said Mr Austin's staff were faced with an "unprecedented situation".

“So they did the transfer of power the same way they did before,” Mr. Ryder explained. The Pentagon spokesman added that HIPAA laws meant to protect personal medical records prevented medical staff from sharing candid information with the secretary’s staff about his condition.

Mr. Ryder also stressed that throughout the incident, they never left the command and control position vacant.

Some reporters say the internal report still fails to fully explain where the information gap lies.

Meanwhile, Secretary Austin will appear before the House of Representatives on February 29 to testify on the matter and is likely to face harsh criticism. The Defense Department Inspector General is also conducting a review of the matter.

Mr. Austin was diagnosed with prostate cancer in early December 2023 and went to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for surgery on December 22. On January 1, 2024, he was returned to Walter Reed because of severe pain and was transferred to the intensive care unit on January 2.

Phuong Anh (Source: Fox News)

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