“The Department of Defense deliberately withheld the Secretary of Defense’s medical condition for days. Ryder declined to provide any other details about Austin’s medical procedure or health. Asked why the hospital stay was kept secret for so long, Ryder said on Friday that it was an “evolving situation,” and that due to privacy and medical issues, the Pentagon did not make Austin’s absence public. Ryder said Saturday that Austin is recovering well and resumed his full duties Friday evening from his hospital bed. official said she had a communications setup with her in Puerto Rico that allowed her to do the job while Austin, who spent 41 years in the military and retired as a four-star Army general in 2016, was incapacitated. Many believed Austin was out on vacation for the week.ĭeputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks, who took over when Austin was hospitalized, was also away. It was not clear when key senior members of Austin’s staff were told, but across the Pentagon, many staff found out when the department released a statement about Austin’s hospital stay just minutes after 5 p.m. Ryder said members of Congress were told late Friday afternoon, and other officials said lawmakers were informed after 5 p.m. Politico was the first to report the White House learned of his condition on Thursday. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations. officials said Saturday that many of the most senior Pentagon service leaders were unaware until Friday that Austin was in the hospital. Pat Ryder said the White House and the Joint Chiefs of Staff were notified about Austin’s hospitalization, but he would not confirm when that notice happened.Ī number of U.S. officials and Cabinet members.Īir Force Maj. Such secrecy, at a time when the United States is juggling myriad national security crises, runs counter to normal practice with the president and other senior U.S. The Pentagon’s failure to disclose Austin’s hospitalization for days reflects a stunning lack of transparency about his illness, how serious it was and when he may be released. The officials were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity. ![]() The Pentagon did not inform the White House National Security Council or top adviser Jake Sullivan of Austin’s hospitalization at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, until Thursday, according to two administration officials. officials said Saturday, as questions swirled about his condition and the secrecy surrounding it. WASHINGTON (AP) - Senior Biden administration leaders, top Pentagon officials and members of Congress were unaware for days that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had been hospitalized since Monday, U.S.
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