Congressman Bacon called the secret hospitalization of Pentagon chief Austin a failure
The US Secretary of Defense was secretly hospitalized on Monday, January 1, with complications from a medical procedure. This was announced by Pentagon press secretary Patrick Ryder.
On the evening of January 1, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center due to complications from a recent elective medical procedure.
A department spokesman said Austin is recovering and expects to return to his duties on Saturday.
The Pentagon later said that the Secretary of Defense continues to remain in the hospital; there is no specific date for his discharge. They also promised to provide information about his state of health.
Austin spent four days in the intensive care unit “at the height of tensions in the Middle East” with his deputy, Kathleen Hicks, on duty, NBC reported, citing two unnamed officials.
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In the US, they wondered why information about Austin’s hospitalization was disclosed only five days later
American journalist and Newsmax channel host Todd Starnes wondered why information about Austin’s hospitalization was disclosed only five days later.
The Pentagon kept the information secret until late Friday evening. Why such secrecy?
American journalist, HuffPost and New York Magazine reporter Yashar Ali wondered why information about Austin’s hospitalization was hidden. He suggested that he could have undergone some kind of operation that did not involve publicity.
What's happening? Did he have some kind of delicate surgery?
The observer did not rule out that the Pentagon chief could have undergone photorejuvenation of the skin, liposuction or weight loss surgery, which is why the defense department hid the minister’s presence in the hospital.
Austin's hospitalization 'came as a shock' to top White House officials
Politico, citing two officials, noted that the Pentagon hid the fact of Austin’s hospitalization from senior officials in the White House for three days.
The Pentagon did not notify senior officials on the White House National Security Council about Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's hospitalization until Thursday—three full days after he arrived at Walter Reed Medical Center.
According to the publication, Congress learned of the minister’s illness just 15 minutes before the Pentagon issued an official press release.
The publication said information about Austin's hospitalization “came as a shock” to senior officials, including US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. They did not know about the complications that arose with the chief of the defense department after the procedure.
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Pentagon chief admits he should have informed the public better
Lloyd Austin reported that he is recovering and expects to return to his duties soon. The Pentagon chief acknowledged that he should have better informed the public about his condition.
I also understand the media's concerns about transparency and recognize that I could do more to properly inform the public
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in turn, said that he did not know about Austin’s hospitalization. He called him an outstanding leader and wished him a speedy recovery.
Biden spoke with Austin after hospitalization
Politico reported that US President Joe Biden spoke with Austin after his secret hospitalization. Sources said that the American leader has full confidence in the minister.
Four officials assured that Austin's position was safe, although some of the publication's interlocutors admitted that the situation with the disease could lead to someone losing their position in the department.
An ex-Pentagon official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the situation of withholding information from the White House, Congress or the media, and then informing department officials that Austin was working from home, became a problem. Anyone who decided not to disclose information about the minister’s health “will most likely leave soon.”
American politicians criticized the concealment of information about Austin's hospitalization
Former US Vice President Mike Pence called Austin's secret hospitalization unacceptable on CNN.
The decision of the Minister of Defense is completely unacceptable. I believe the American people have a right to know about his medical condition.
The politician also accused Austin of negligence, pointing out that the US President did not know about his health problems, and the United States' allies are at war in Eastern Europe and Israel.
Republican Congressman Don Bacon called the Pentagon's failure to promptly inform the American authorities about the illness of the head of the department as a failure of leadership.
The warning time for nuclear attacks by the latest weapons from Russia and China is 15 minutes. The Department of Defense plays a vital role in the response
The politician demanded that “corrections be made,” likely referring to the Pentagon's work.
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