USA (Transatlantic Today)—U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has accepted “full responsibility” for the lack of transparency regarding his hospitalization, which began on January 1 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center due to “complications following a recent elective medical procedure.” This breach of protocol came as a surprise to many top White House officials, including President Joe Biden, who were not informed until several days after his admission.
In a statement, Austin acknowledged the oversight, saying, “I recognize I could have done a better job ensuring the public was appropriately informed. I commit to doing better.” He emphasized that the decision regarding disclosure was his to make and assured that he would return to the Pentagon soon.
Reports indicated that National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan was only notified about Austin’s hospitalization days later, which was also the case for Congress, who learned of it shortly before the Pentagon made a public announcement. Despite the circumstances, the Defense Department stated that Austin resumed “full duties” from his hospital bed.
The Pentagon Press Association criticized the lack of disclosure, highlighting the importance of informing the public about the health and decision-making capabilities of top defense leaders, especially amid rising tensions in the Middle East and ongoing conflicts in Israel and Ukraine. In contrast, other officials, like Attorney General Merrick Garland, have maintained higher levels of transparency regarding their medical procedures.
