Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's recent hospitalization has raised questions about the lack of communication and transparency surrounding his condition. It was revealed that top officials, including President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, were unaware of Austin's hospitalization and his deputy, Kathleen Hicks, was only informed of the need to assume some of his duties without being given the reason why.
Austin was admitted to Walter Reed Hospital on New Year's Day due to complications arising from an elective surgery. The decision to keep this information from the public and the White House for approximately three days has sparked speculation about the responsible party. Even his own deputy secretary was uninformed about his hospitalization. According to Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder, Hicks assumed certain operational responsibilities requiring constant secure communications capabilities while Austin was in the hospital. It is important to note that Austin's incapacitation was not explicitly mentioned.
