(Washington Insider Magazine)—Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has publicly accepted “full responsibility” for the secrecy surrounding his hospitalization, which began on New Year’s Day. He was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center due to “complications following a recent elective medical procedure.” The Pentagon did not disclose this information for five days, leading to criticism from lawmakers.
Senator Roger Wicker, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, accused the Pentagon of failing to notify Congress in a timely manner, as required by law. It was also revealed that President Joe Biden was only informed of Austin’s situation on Thursday evening, although Biden expressed confidence in Austin and spoke with him on Saturday.
Austin’s absence raised questions about the delegation of his duties, particularly regarding the extent to which his deputy, Kathleen Hicks, managed key decisions during his hospitalization. The Pentagon has not provided specific details about Austin’s medical condition or when he might be discharged.
In a statement, Austin acknowledged the need for better public communication and emphasized that the situation was his responsibility. He stated, “I recognize I could have done a better job ensuring the public was appropriately informed. I commit to doing better.”
Criticism of the Pentagon’s handling of the situation has intensified, with the Pentagon Press Association expressing concern over the lack of transparency, especially given current military tensions in the Middle East. They pointed out that even U.S. presidents typically disclose when they need to delegate duties due to medical issues.
Military Reporters and Editors (MRE) also criticized the timing of the announcement, suggesting that releasing it on a Friday evening when readership is lower reflects a pattern of “obfuscation and opacity.”
