USA (Washington Insider Magazine)—US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has accepted “full responsibility” for the secrecy surrounding his recent hospitalization for an unspecified medical condition, which began on New Year’s Day. Austin, 70, was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center due to “complications following a recent elective medical procedure.” The Pentagon kept this information under wraps for five days, leading to concerns about transparency within the Biden administration.
In a written statement, Austin acknowledged, “I recognize I could have done a better job ensuring the public was appropriately informed. I commit to doing better.” He emphasized that the matter was his medical procedure, stating, “I take full responsibility for my decisions about disclosure.”
Administration Unaware of Hospitalization
Austin’s statement came as reports surfaced that senior leaders within the Biden administration, including members of Congress and top Pentagon officials, were unaware of his hospitalization for several days. According to two anonymous administration officials, the White House National Security Council and top adviser Jake Sullivan were not informed until Thursday.
Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed that the White House and the Joint Chiefs of Staff were notified of Austin’s condition but did not specify when. Senator Roger Wicker, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, criticized the Pentagon for not immediately informing Congress about the situation, as required by law.
Questions About Command Structure
With Austin unable to fulfill his duties, it remains unclear to what extent his responsibilities were delegated to Deputy Secretary Kathleen Hicks, who was also out of the office at the time. Reports indicate that Hicks did not know of Austin’s hospitalization when she began assuming his duties. However, she was equipped to manage her responsibilities remotely from Puerto Rico.
Concerns were raised about the implications of Austin’s absence, especially during a time when the US faces multiple national security challenges involving allies like Ukraine and Israel. Former Vice President Mike Pence criticized the delayed disclosure, calling it “a dereliction of duty.”
Retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling echoed this sentiment, stating, “You always notify your boss if you’re hospitalized for something.” He added, however, that Austin had trusted deputies to manage the department in his absence.
Fallout from the Incident
The episode has sparked a debate over transparency and communication within the government. Some defense officials suggested that Austin’s undisclosed hospitalization could lead to accountability measures, with one unnamed official stating, “Someone’s head has to roll.”
Military Reporters and Editors (MRE), a non-profit organization for journalists covering the US military, criticized the timing of the announcement, stating that releasing the information on a Friday evening reflects a tradition of “obfuscation and opacity.”
As the investigation continues, Austin remains under scrutiny as he navigates his responsibilities at the helm of the Department of Defense during a critical time for US national security.