Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is set to testify before the House Armed Services Committee this Thursday regarding his undisclosed hospital stay. The Pentagon recently released a report stating that while improvements could be made in the decision-making process for transferring the secretary's authority, there was no evidence of ill intent or deception.
During the upcoming hearing, Congressman Ronnie Jackson, a physician and member of the House Armed Services Committee, plans to question Secretary Austin about the incident. Jackson expressed concerns about the lack of accountability within the Department of Defense and called for Austin's resignation, citing a loss of trust among the American people.
Jackson highlighted previous issues under Austin's leadership, including the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, which resulted in casualties and the Taliban gaining access to U.S. military equipment. He also raised concerns about the potential national security risks posed by the secretary's absence during his hospitalization.
Meanwhile, President Biden and former President Trump are scheduled to visit Texas on the same day. Biden's visit to Brownsville, a city experiencing high levels of border crossings, has drawn criticism for not addressing the crisis in more heavily impacted areas like Del Rio. Jackson criticized the visit as a political move to appease certain factions within the Democratic Party.
The situation at the southern border remains a contentious issue, with calls for immediate action to address the influx of migrants. Jackson emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to border security and criticized what he perceived as a lack of effective measures being taken.
