{"id":9613,"date":"2024-02-13T06:28:15","date_gmt":"2024-02-13T00:58:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cccfornews.com\/index.php\/2024\/02\/13\/defense-secretary-austin-back-in-hospital-transfers-duties\/"},"modified":"2024-02-13T06:28:15","modified_gmt":"2024-02-13T00:58:15","slug":"defense-secretary-austin-back-in-hospital-transfers-duties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cccfornews.com\/index.php\/2024\/02\/13\/defense-secretary-austin-back-in-hospital-transfers-duties\/","title":{"rendered":"Defense Secretary Austin Back in Hospital, Transfers Duties"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been hospitalized for \u201csymptoms suggesting an emergent bladder issue,\u201d according to a February 11 statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n

That evening, the Pentagon released another statement<\/a> saying that Austin was \u201cadmitted into the critical care unit at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for supportive care and close monitoring.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAt this time, it is not clear how long Secretary Austin will remain hospitalized. The current bladder issue is not expected to change his anticipated full recovery,\u201d the statement continued. \u201cHis cancer prognosis remains excellent. Updates on the Secretary\u2019s condition will be provided as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

In light of the hospitalization, Secretary Austin transferred<\/a> his duties to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks.<\/p>\n

\n

Today, at approximately 2:20 pm, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III was transported by his security detail to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to be seen for symptoms suggesting an emergent bladder issue. Full statement here:https:\/\/t.co\/reDJBP33lr<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder (@PentagonPresSec) February 11, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Last month, Austin was treated for prostate cancer, an incident kept secret from federal leaders.<\/p>\n

Congressional representatives condemned Austin\u2019s secret hospitalization.<\/p>\n

Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY) said<\/a> at the time, \u201cIt is shocking and absolutely unacceptable that the Department of Defense waited multiple days to notify the President, the National Security Council, and the American people that Defense Secretary Austin was hospitalized and unable to perform his duties.\u201d<\/p>\n

A similar statement was issued by Representative Chris Deluzio (D-PA), who said<\/a>, \u201cI have lost trust in Secretary Lloyd Austin\u2019s leadership of the Defense Department due to the lack of transparency about his recent medical treatment and its impact on the continuity of the chain of command.\u201d<\/p>\n

Austin acknowledged<\/a> the lack of transparency during a press conference. \u201cI want to be crystal clear: we did not handle this right. I did not handle this right,\u201d he declared.<\/p>\n

\u201cI should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis. I should\u2019ve also told my team and the American public, and I take full responsibility. I apologize to my teammates and to the American people.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to make it very clear that there were no gaps in authorities, and no risk to the department\u2019s command and control. At every moment, either I or the deputy secretary was in full charge,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n

Austin explained that since the incident, the department has created new procedures to ensure \u201clapses in notification don\u2019t happen.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n