Why did US Defense Minister Lloyd Austin not inform US President Joe Biden that he was in the hospital for days? That is the question that everyone in Washington is asking and for which there seems to be no easy answer.
These are the five keys that explain a situation that could get complicated for Biden, at a time when Republicans are looking for any type of ammunition against him and when the world faces the war in Ukraine and the danger of a large-scale conflict. stopover in the Middle East.
Why was Austin hospitalized?
On the night of January 1, Austin had to be hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, outside Washington, for complications resulting from an “elective medical procedure” he had previously undergone, according to the Department of Defending.
There are still no details about what type of complications are being discussed, what type of optional operation Austin, 70, underwent, or whether he was unconscious at any time.
It is only known that Austin had this “optional medical procedure” on December 22 and was able to go home the next day, although there were complications later, according to US media.
Until Thursday, he did not know that Austin was in the hospital, so for two days (from Tuesday to Thursday) he did not know the reason why he was exercising that authority, according to local media.
When was it made public?
The United States Department of Defense published a brief statement reporting the hospitalization on Friday after 5:00 p.m. local time (22:00 GMT), when most Washington institutions were closing before the weekend.
In that brief press release, it was only stated that Austin was in the hospital, that he was “recovering well” and that he would return “fully” to his duties that same Friday.
As confirmed this Monday by the White House, the Department of Defense informed Biden's team of the hospitalization on Thursday, three days after he entered the medical center, and the reason for this delay is still unknown.
Members of the US Congress say they received information about Austin's hospitalization just minutes before the Friday night statement announcing what was happening was published.
Who was in charge of the Pentagon?
As if the situation were not already bizarre enough, it should also be noted that, while Austin was unwell, his “number two”, Kathleen Hicks, was not in the United States, but was in Puerto Rico on vacation.
Hicks was on leave – of course, with communication equipment included – when he began carrying out the tasks that usually correspond to Austin from Puerto Rico on Tuesday.
Until Thursday, he did not know that Austin was in the hospital, so for two days (from Tuesday to Thursday) he did not know the reason why he was exercising that authority, according to local media.
Since Friday, Austin has returned to captain the Pentagon, but from a distance. He remains admitted to the hospital without a scheduled discharge date, a fact that could make it difficult for him to fulfill his responsibilities as head of Defense, which requires being available to respond to any military crisis.
Why didn't anyone notice where Austin was?
Austin's discreet and reserved character could explain why news like this could have gone unnoticed.
The head of Defense is a retired four-star general of the US Army who does not like to “bother” others with his problems, even though these may compromise the national security of the United States, according to the newspaper Político.
A level of privacy that may be incompatible with being the top US defense leader, since the American population wants to be informed about the physical and mental health of those in charge of the country's security.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
What could happen to Austin?
Although Austin has not violated any rules, since there is no protocol on when to announce the hospitalization of a Secretary of Defense, the Republicans have already taken advantage of the situation to charge against Biden, whom they reproach for not having his own Administration under control.
And while Republicans cast doubt on Biden's leadership, it is unclear whether or not there will be accountability because it appears that the president – who spoke with Austin last Sunday – maintains confidence in the retired general.
In any case, the spokesman for the National Security Council, John Kirby, announced this Monday in a press conference that the Government will review what rules or procedures were omitted by not disclosing Austin's hospitalization with the aim of deciding if they should be modified.
The Secretary of Defense himself stated in a statement last Saturday that he understood “the media's concern about transparency,” while acknowledging that he could have done a better job.
With his responsibility assumed, there are still many questions about how this mess could have been unleashed and how Austin, and consequently Biden, will get out of the bind.
EFE
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