Pentagon officials unaware of Defense Sec. Austin’s hospitalization for days
OAN’s Abril Elfi
3:00 PM – Sunday, January 7, 2024
Congress members and Pentagon officials were kept in the dark for days about Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s hospitalization, even his deputy who assumed some of his responsibilities.
United States officials revealed on Saturday that senior Biden administration officials, top Pentagon officials, and members of Congress were unaware of Austin’s hospitalization at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center until Thursday, raising concerns about transparency and secrecy surrounding his health.
In a statement, Austin took responsibility for the delayed communication, acknowledging the need for better public information. However, he emphasized that the decision to disclose his medical procedure was his own.
“I recognize I could have done a better job ensuring the public was appropriately informed. I commit to doing better,” said Austin. “But this is important to say: this was my medical procedure, and I take full responsibility for my decisions about disclosure.”
Austin’s press secretary stated that the 70-year-old remained hospitalized due to complications from a minor elective medical procedure. Austin expressed that he is feeling better and hopes to return to the Pentagon soon.
While the exact timing of when Austin’s senior leadership team members were informed remains unclear, news of his hospitalization spread throughout the Pentagon after a statement was issued on Friday afternoon. Prior to that, many believed Austin was on a week-long vacation.
Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed that Austin was making a good recovery and had resumed his full duties from his hospital bed on Friday night. Ryder explained that the Pentagon chose not to disclose Austin’s absence earlier due to privacy and medical concerns.
Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), the highest-ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, criticized the delayed notice, calling it unacceptable and a violation of the law.
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What impacts will the lack of transparency surrounding Austin’s health and delayed communication have on the Biden administration’s reputation?
BREAKING: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s Hospitalization Raises Concerns about Transparency and Secrecy
Congress members and Pentagon officials were kept in the dark for days about Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s hospitalization, even his deputy who assumed some of his responsibilities. This lack of transparency has raised concerns about the handling of Austin’s health and the secrecy surrounding it.
According to United States officials, senior Biden administration officials, top Pentagon officials, and members of Congress were unaware of Austin’s hospitalization at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center until Thursday. This late disclosure has sparked questions about the transparency and openness of the Biden administration.
In a statement, Austin took responsibility for the delayed communication, acknowledging the need for better public information. However, he stressed that the decision to disclose his medical procedure was his own. Austin expressed his commitment to do better in ensuring the public is appropriately informed about his health.
The press secretary for Austin stated that the 70-year-old remained hospitalized due to complications from a minor elective medical procedure. Despite his hospitalization, Austin mentioned that he is feeling better and hopes to return to the Pentagon soon.
It remains unclear when exactly Austin’s senior leadership team members were informed about his hospitalization. The news of his hospitalization circulated within the Pentagon after a statement was issued on Friday afternoon. Prior to that, many believed Austin was on a week-long vacation.
Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed that Austin was making a good recovery and had resumed his full duties from his hospital bed on Friday night. Ryder explained that the decision not to disclose Austin’s absence earlier was influenced by privacy and medical concerns.
The delayed notice of Austin’s hospitalization has faced criticism from Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), the highest-ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee. He called it unacceptable and a violation of the law.
The lack of transparency and delayed communication regarding Austin’s hospitalization raises questions about the level of openness and accountability within the Biden administration. It is crucial for government officials to prioritize transparency in order to maintain public trust and ensure that they are held accountable for their actions.
As this situation unfolds, it is important for the Biden administration to address these concerns and provide accurate and timely information to the public. Transparency is a vital component of democratic governance, and it is essential for government officials to be transparent about their health and any potential impacts on their ability to carry out their duties effectively.
The American public deserves to be informed about the health of their government officials, particularly those in key positions such as the Secretary of Defense. It is imperative that transparency and openness become the norm in the Biden administration, not the exception. Only through transparency can the government maintain the trust and confidence of the people it serves.
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