Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Continues to Face Health Challenges
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin transfers duties to Deputy Secretary Kathleen Hicks for elective surgery, a follow-up non-surgical procedure related to a prior bladder issue. Deputy Hicks fills in temporarily at Walter Reed Medical Center where Austin will undergo the procedure. This follows a prior hospitalization in February and criticism for handling his health issues without transparency. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin delegates responsibilities to Deputy Secretary Kathleen Hicks for an elective surgery, a non-surgical follow-up linked to a previous bladder concern. Deputy Hicks assumes the role temporarily at Walter Reed Medical Center for Austin’s procedure. This decision comes after a previous hospitalization in February and backlash regarding the lack of transparency in dealing with his health issues.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is transferring his role to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks today as he prepares to undergo elective surgery.
Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement that Austin will undergo a “minimally invasive follow-up non-surgical procedure” that is related to his previous bladder issue.
The procedure will take place this evening at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
“The Secretary has determined he will be temporarily unable to perform his functions and duties during the procedure, so Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks will assume the functions and duties of the Secretary of Defense and serve as the Acting Secretary of Defense,” Ryder said.
Austin was released from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in February after receiving treatment for a bladder issue that also prompted him to transfer his duties to his deputy.
Austin, 70, faced blowback after the revelation that the secretary had been hospitalized on January 1 for complications stemming from a prostate cancer procedure and delegated some of his duties to a deputy without informing top brass in the Biden administration and Congress.
Some critics, including GOP lawmakers and former President Donald Trump, called for Austin’s ouster as more details emerged, including that Austin kept his cancer diagnosis under wraps until the story broke. Multiple inquiries ensued, and the White House released new guidelines for Cabinet secretaries to enhance transparency rules when authority is delegated to a subordinate.
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The Department of Defense said Austin resumed his duties from home after being released from the hospital on January 15, and the secretary returned to work at the Pentagon on January 29. Austin has been scheduled to testify before a House committee about “his failure to disclose his hospitalization” on February 29.
During a press conference, Austin expressed remorse for how his cancer diagnosis and hospitalization were handled.
“We did not handle this right, and I did not handle this right,” Austin said. “I should’ve told the president about my cancer diagnosis. I should have also told my team and the American public. And I take full responsibility. I apologize to my teammates and to the American people.”
Daniel Chaitin contributed to this report.
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