Defense Secretary Austin Released From Hospital

The Pentagon announced that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had been released from the hospital Tuesday after receiving treatment for a bladder issue.

“Following consultation with medical staff, Secretary Austin was released from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center today at approximately 3:30 pm,” the Department of Defense (DoD) said in a statement. “He is recovering well and resumed his full functions and duties today at 5 pm. The Deputy Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the White House, and Congress have been notified.”

The statement was released within hours of his departure from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after Austin faced criticism for not informing President Joe Biden and Congress about his hospitalization in January.

“On the advice of his doctors, Secretary Austin will recuperate and perform his duties remotely from home for a period before returning to work at the Pentagon later this week. He has full access to the unclassified and classified communications systems necessary to perform his duties,” the statement continued.

“Secretary Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Feb. 11 with discomfort and concern from a bladder issue related to his December 2023 prostate cancer surgery. His condition indicated a need for close monitoring by the critical care team and supportive care. His diagnostic evaluation identified the cause of his bladder issue and it was corrected with non-surgical procedures on Feb. 12,” the physicians said.