Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin remains in the hospital, sparking concerns as it is revealed that top Pentagon officials were not immediately informed about the severity of his medical condition. Austin has been hospitalized at Reed National Military Medical Center for eight days, and it has come to light that key White House and Pentagon officials were unaware of this for several days.
According to Pentagon spokesman Major General Patrick Ryder, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin underwent an elective medical procedure at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on December 22nd while on leave. He returned home the next day but started experiencing severe pain on the evening of January 1st. As a result, Austin was transported back to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and admitted to the intensive care unit.
The lack of timely communication regarding Austin's hospitalization has raised eyebrows. Oklahoma Senator James Lankford expressed concern over the lack of transparency, stating that as the defense secretary, Austin should have made everyone aware that he would be unavailable. Even more alarming, it appears that the White House and others were informed that Austin was working from home during his hospitalization, creating a misleading narrative.
The timeline of events is indeed startling. Austin was admitted to the ICU on January 1st, yet it wasn't until Tuesday that the chairman of the Joint Chiefs and the deputy defense secretary were informed. The White House and President Biden were unaware until Thursday, and the news only reached Congress and the press on Friday. National Security Council coordinator John Kirby also admitted he was not aware of Austin's medical issue.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged that he was not informed about Austin's hospitalization and emphasized that he had spoken with Austin just before the incident occurred. Austin has taken full responsibility for the manner in which he disclosed information about his hospitalization.
The lack of prompt notification raises concerns about the efficiency and transparency of the Pentagon's communication channels. As the defense secretary, Austin's health and availability are of utmost importance, and timely communication surrounding his condition is crucial for maintaining stability and effective decision-making within the defense department.
Moving forward, it is imperative that protocols are reviewed and strengthened to ensure that such lapses in communication do not occur again. The defense secretary's health is a matter of national security, and it is essential that all relevant parties are kept informed in a timely and accurate manner.
