Defense Secretary still hospitalized Sunday night; Deputy only informed on Thursday
From Fortune:
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin remained in the hospital, which has led to questions of transparency around disclosing his hospitalization and illness. Key decision-makers, including President Joe Biden, were kept in the dark for days about Austin’s ICU stay. Senior Pentagon officials and Cabinet members were notified of Austin’s illness and deteriorating health status. The Department of Defense withheld information about Austin’s hospitalization, which has led to growing criticism, including from Senator Roger Wicker. Austin took responsibility for the delays in notifying the public and promised to do better in the future. Other officials have voiced support for Austin during this time and called on the department to provide lawmakers with a “full accounting of the facts.”
Figures and Statistics: Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was hospitalized following a minor elective procedure and is 70 years old.
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Austin, 70, remained hospitalized due to complications following a minor elective medical procedure, his press secretary said, as it became increasingly clear how closely the Pentagon held information about his stay at Walter Reed. In his statement, Austin said he is on the mend and is looking forward to returning to the Pentagon soon, but he provided no other details about his ailment.
Sen. Roger Wicker, the top-ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the episode erodes trust in the Biden administration and called on the department to provide lawmakers with a “full accounting of the facts immediately.”
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Read more: Defense Secretary still hospitalized Sunday night; Deputy only informed on Thursday