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United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin

On January 1, 2024, United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center following complications from an elective medical procedure. The hospitalization was not disclosed by Austin or the Department of Defense to the general public until January 5, 2024, causing a controversy.

Hospitalization

In December 2023, Austin was diagnosed with prostate cancer.[1] On December 22, two days after returning from a visit to the Middle East, Austin underwent an prostatectomy[1]—then described as an elective emergency procedure—at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, returning to Arlington County, Virginia the following day.[2] Prior to the hospitalization, Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Austin but reported no discussion of medical issues taking place.[3] After experiencing "severe pain", Austin was taken to Walter Reed by ambulance on January 1, 2024. That morning, Austin had participated in a call with Blinken, President Joe Biden, and national security advisor Jake Sullivan regarding the Middle East.[4] On January 2, 2024, he was placed in intensive care unit. Pentagon press secretary Patrick S. Ryder announced Austin's hospitalization on January 5, stating that he was "recovering well and is expecting to resume his full duties". According to deputy secretary of defense Kathleen Hicks, Austin was capable of exercising abilities as secretary of defense.[5] Hicks assumed several of Austin's duties during his hospitalization despite being on a scheduled vacation in Puerto Rico, according to NBC.[6]

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Charles Q. Brown Jr. was informed on January 2,[2] as were Ryder, Secretary of Defense Chief of Staff Kelly Magsamen, senior military aide Ronald P. Clark, and Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Chris Meagher.[7] According to Politico, Sullivan was not aware of Austin's hospitalization until January 4; he informed Biden, who held a "cordial conversation" with Austin on January 6.[8] During Austin's hospitalization, the United States launched a retaliatory strike against Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba leader Abu Taqwa. General Michael Kurilla was given authorization to initiate the strike, according to an official. In a statement on January 6, Austin issued a mea culpa and took responsibility for not disclosing his hospitalization.[9] Ryder told The New York Times that Magsamen was ill and could not send a notification until January 4.[2] Austin left intensive care on January 8.[10] Austin remained hospitalized through a U.S.-led coalition aerial and naval attack on the Houthi militia in Operation Prosperity Guardian on January 11.[11]

On January 8, White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients ordered a review of procedures and informed Cabinet Secretaries that they must inform the White House upon delegating authority. Austin will not be removed, according to spokesman John Kirby. The Department of Defense is conducting its own review.[4] A separate investigation will be led by Department of Defense inspector general Robert Storch.[12] According to Reuters, Austin violated a procedural law regarding "reporting of vacancies"; the law referenced does not mention penalties for lapses.[13]

Responses

Criticism came from both Republicans and Democrats. Senator and Senate Committee on Armed Services member Tom Cotton stated that Austin must address the delayed announcement of his hospitalization.[9] Representative Matt Rosendale filed articles of impeachment against Austin on January 9, 2024.[14] Senate Committee on Armed Services ranking member Roger Wicker called the delayed announcement "unacceptable".[8] In a joint statement, House Committee on Armed Services chair and ranking member Mike Rogers and Adam Smith expressed concerns.[7] On January 9, Rogers announced that he had initiated an inquiry into the incident.[1] Wicker and representative Matt Gaetz have separately called on Reed and Rogers to hold hearings. Senator Elizabeth Warren stated calls for a hearing were political theater. Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management chair Tim Kaine and Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense chair Jon Tester expressed criticisms.[15] Senator James Lankford told Fox News Sunday that the delayed disclosure was "shocking".[2] Senate Committee on Armed Services chair Jack Reed and Senator Susan Collins wished Austin a speedy recovery but urged for Austin to be more accountable.[7]

Former president and presidential candidate Donald Trump said that Austin should be fired; Biden has stated he will not accept his resignation.[16] Presidential candidate Nikki Haley, a former South Carolina governor and former ambassador to the United Nations, called for Biden to be "fired".[15] Former vice president Mike Pence stated the delay was a "dereliction of duty".[2] Former secretary of defense Chuck Hagel stated that the National Security Council should have been informed as "part of the family".[8]

The Pentagon Press Association wrote that Austin has "no claim to privacy".[9] The Washington Post's editorial board expressed that the initial silence was unacceptable.[17]

References

  1. ^ a b c Cooper, Helene; Schmitt, Eric; Kolata, Gina (January 9, 2023). "Austin Was Hospitalized for Complications From Prostate Cancer Surgery". The New York Times. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e Cooper, Helene; Schmitt, Eric (January 7, 2024). "Pressure Builds on Pentagon to Explain Timeline of Austin's Hospitalization". The New York Times. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  3. ^ Boccia, Chris (January 8, 2023). "When key figures found out about Lloyd Austin's hospitalization". ABC News. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Baker, Peter (January 9, 2024). "Surprised by New Details About Austin's Health, White House Orders Review". The New York Times. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  5. ^ Cooper, Helene (January 5, 2024). "Defense Secretary Hospitalized After Complications From Elective Procedure". The New York Times. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  6. ^ Kube, Courtney; Lee, Carol; Romero, Dennis; Alexander, Peter (January 5, 2024). "Pentagon waited three days to inform White House that the defense secretary was hospitalized in ICU". NBC News. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Schmitt, Eric; Cooper, Helene (January 8, 2023). "4 Aides to Austin Waited 2 Days to Tell White House About His Hospitalization". The New York Times. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c Ward, Alexander; Seligman, Lara; Lemire, Jonathan (January 6, 2024). "Pentagon didn't inform Biden, White House for days about Austin's hospitalization". Politico. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  9. ^ a b c Cooper, Helene; Schmitt, Eric (January 6, 2023). "Defense Secretary Kept White House in the Dark About His Hospitalization". The New York Times. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  10. ^ Lamonthe, Dan; Viser, Matt; Ryan, Missy (January 8, 2024). "Austin leaves intensive care amid growing scrutiny of Pentagon secrecy". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  11. ^ Liebermann, Oren; Britzky, Haley; Bertrand, Natasha; Marquadt, Alex; Hansler, Jennifer (January 11, 2024). "US and UK carry out airstrikes against Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen". CNN. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  12. ^ Schmitt, Eric (January 11, 2024). "Inspector General to Investigate Handling of Austin's Hospitalization". The New York Times. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  13. ^ Queen, Jack (January 9, 2024). "Did Pentagon chief Austin's secret hospitalization break the rules?". Reuters. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  14. ^ Mitchell, Ellen (January 8, 2024). "Rosendale to file impeachment articles against Austin". The Hill. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  15. ^ a b Gould, Joe; O'Brien, Connor (January 9, 2023). "As Austin controversy widens, Republicans find a new weapon against Biden". Politico. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  16. ^ Lemire, Jonathan; Ward, Alexander (January 8, 2023). "Biden won't accept an Austin resignation if offered". Politico. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  17. ^ "So far, there's no defense for Lloyd Austin's hospital silence". The Washington Post (editorial). January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.

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