Pence criticizes Austin for not informing White House about hospitalization: ‘Neglecting responsibilities
Former Vice President Mike Pence Criticizes Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s Lack of Transparency
Former Vice President Mike Pence has joined a chorus of Republicans who have criticized Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin for a multiday delay in notifying President Joe Biden that he was hospitalized.
Austin was admitted to the hospital on New Year’s Day due to complications from an elective surgery, though Biden was not informed that the Pentagon head was hospitalized until Jan. 4, prompting Pence to join others who’ve declared the lack of transparency is ”totally unacceptable.”
Pence Calls for Transparency and Accountability
“I believe the American people have the right to know about his medical condition, about the reasons for it,” he told CNN’s Jake Tapper on State of the Union, characterizing Austin’s actions as a “dereliction of duty.”
“To think that at a time when we have allies at war in Eastern Europe and here in Israel, that the leader of America’s military at the Pentagon would be out of commission for a number of days, and the president of the United States didn’t know about it,” Pence said. “I think it was a dereliction of duty, and the secretary and the administration frankly need to step forward and give the American people the facts.”
Although the 70-year-old defense secretary said Sunday he was “on the mend” while recovering in the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, he nor the Pentagon have offered any details about why he was in the hospital, and no details have been disclosed about the medical procedure.
Deputy Secretary of Defense Also Left in the Dark
Pence’s remarks come as U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, the Pentagon’s second-in-command, was also left in the dark about Austin’s whereabouts until Jan. 4, according to CNN.
Austin released a statement saying he “could have done a better job ensuring the public was appropriately informed. I commit to doing better,” but offered no clear apology for failing to notify the press or public in a timely manner.
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How does the delay in notifying Congress about the details of the drone strike raise questions about the Biden administration’s communication with oversight bodies?
Ng Congress about the details of a U.S. drone strike in Kabul, Afghanistan. Pence, known for his strong conservative values and commitment to transparency during his time as Vice President, expressed deep concern regarding Austin’s lack of transparency and failure to promptly inform Congress about critical military operations.
The incident in question occurred on August 29, when a U.S. drone strike targeted a vehicle in Kabul that was believed to be carrying ISIS-K militants responsible for the deadly suicide bombing at the Kabul airport. While the initial reports praised the strike as a success, subsequent investigations revealed that innocent civilians, including children, were tragically killed in the attack.
What is particularly troubling about this situation is the delay in notifying Congress about the details of the strike. As a former member of Congress himself, Secretary Austin should be well aware of the importance of transparency and ensuring that the appropriate oversight bodies are fully informed. Yet, he failed to provide Congress with a timely briefing, causing alarming questions and doubts to arise.
Pence, along with other Republicans, raises valid concerns about the lack of accountability and transparency within the current administration. As the former Vice President rightly points out, a key requirement of any democratic government is to keep the American people informed about critical decisions and actions taken on their behalf.
This incident highlights a broader issue of the Biden administration’s inadequate communication with Congress and the American public. During his time as Vice President, Pence made it a priority to maintain open lines of communication with Congress, ensuring that they were regularly updated on important matters. In stark contrast, the current administration appears to favor secrecy and opacity, leaving Congress and the American public in the dark about crucial military operations.
Transparency is not only essential for ensuring accountability, but it also builds trust between the government and its citizens. Without clear and timely communication, the public’s faith in the government’s ability to make well-informed decisions is significantly undermined. Moreover, it undermines the checks and balances that are fundamental to our democracy.
Secretary Austin’s lack of transparency not only raises questions about this specific incident but also about the general culture of openness within the Department of Defense. If the Secretary is unable or unwilling to promptly inform Congress about an operation as significant as this, it raises concerns about what other vital information may be concealed.
It is imperative that Secretary Austin takes immediate action to rectify this issue and regain the trust of the American people. A full and transparent briefing to Congress about the details of the drone strike is not only necessary but also a critical step in reestablishing accountability within the Department of Defense.
Former Vice President Mike Pence’s criticism of Secretary Austin’s lack of transparency is a clear reminder of the importance of open and accountable government. The American people deserve to be fully informed about the actions taken on their behalf, particularly when they involve matters of national security. It is incumbent upon the Biden administration to prioritize transparency and ensure that the appropriate oversight bodies are promptly notified of critical military operations in the future.
Without a doubt, restoring transparency and accountability within the Department of Defense is essential to ensuring the trust and confidence of the American people. It is up to Secretary Austin to heed the criticism and take the necessary steps to rectify this situation, thereby upholding the principles upon which our democracy thrives.
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