According to the Justice Department, Attorney General Merrick Garland is set to undergo back surgery this weekend.
Garland, 71, will reportedly be put under general anesthesia during the procedure, which the agency described as “minimally invasive.”
The attorney general will delegate his duties to Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco before, during and after the surgery as he recovers.
Garland is expected to return to the office the week of February 5.
The news of the surgery comes as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has returned to work following a secret hospitalization stay after being treated for prostate cancer.