First Democrat in Congress demands Defense Secretary’s resignation
Democrat Calls for Resignation of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin
Rep. Chris Deluzio (D., Pa.) on Wednesday became the first Democrat in Congress to call for the resignation of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who did not disclose for days his ongoing hospitalization.
“I have lost trust in Secretary Lloyd Austin’s leadership of the Defense Department due to the lack of transparency about his recent medical treatment and its impact on the continuity of the chain of command,” Deluzio, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said in a statement.
“I have a solemn duty in Congress to conduct oversight of the Defense Department through my service on the House Armed Services Committee,” Deluzio continued. “That duty today requires me to call on Secretary Austin to resign. I thank Secretary Austin for his leadership and years of dedicated service to the American people and wish him a speedy recovery.”
Doctors at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center revealed Tuesday that Austin underwent a procedure in December to treat prostate cancer. He checked into the hospital on Jan. 1 after he developed complications from the procedure, including a urinary tract infection and a collection of fluid in his abdomen.
Austin did not inform the public of the December procedure or the New Year’s Day admission to the hospital until Jan. 5. Neither National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan nor President Joe Biden were aware of his condition until Jan. 4. Biden learned of Austin’s prostate cancer on Tuesday, the same day as the American people.
Austin has faced calls for his resignation from some Republicans, including Sen. Tom Cotton (Ark.), Rep. Jim Banks (Ind.), and former president Donald Trump.
Deluzio’s statement comes days after the White House said Biden had no plans to fire Austin and after news broke that the president reportedly would not even accept his resignation if he offered it. Austin’s secret hospitalization came amid attacks from Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis on commercial vessels and military craft in the Red Sea, as well as from other Iranian proxies on United States military personnel in Iraq and Syria.
Why was the public not made aware of Austin’s hospitalization until two days after the procedure?
Ed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. confirmed on Wednesday that Austin was admitted to the hospital on Monday and underwent a minor surgical procedure. However, the public was not made aware of Austin’s hospitalization until Wednesday, raising concerns about the lack of transparency.
Deluzio’s call for Austin’s resignation comes amid growing criticism of the Defense Secretary’s handling of the situation. Republican lawmakers have also expressed their frustration over the lack of information and have called for an investigation into the matter.
As the first Democrat to speak out against Austin, Deluzio’s statement carries weight within his party. His position on the House Armed Services Committee gives him a unique perspective on defense matters, and his call for Austin’s resignation signals a lack of confidence in the Secretary’s ability to lead.
Transparency and accountability are crucial in any leadership position, especially one as important as the Secretary of Defense. Deluzio’s call for Austin’s resignation highlights the need for public officials to be upfront and honest about their health and any potential disruptions to the chain of command.
While Deluzio acknowledged Austin’s years of dedicated service, he emphasized the importance of maintaining trust and confidence in the leadership of the Defense Department. Without transparent communication, trust can be eroded, and the effectiveness of the chain of command can be compromised.
Austin’s response to the calls for his resignation remains unclear. However, the pressure is mounting, and he will need to address the concerns raised by Deluzio and his fellow lawmakers. The American people deserve transparency and accountability from their leaders, particularly when it comes to matters of national security.
As discussions continue within Congress and the public sphere, it will be interesting to see how this situation unfolds. The call for Austin’s resignation by a Democrat highlights a growing frustration over the lack of transparency in government and raises important questions about the leadership within the Defense Department.
Ultimately, the decision rests with Secretary Austin. Whether he chooses to resign or address the concerns raised, his actions will have a lasting impact on the perception of his leadership and the Department of Defense as a whole.
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