The Pentagon revealed on Sunday that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had been hospitalized since January 1 due to complications from an elective surgery he underwent on December 22. The news came as a shock to many, including President Joe Biden, who was not informed of Austin’s condition until Friday.
According to Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Austin had a medical procedure on December 22 and went home the next day. However, he began experiencing severe pain on January 1 and was admitted to the intensive care unit at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Ryder said that Austin was recovering well and expected to resume his full duties soon.
Ryder also explained that the delay in announcing Austin’s hospitalization was due to “medical and personal privacy issues”. He said that Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks, who was on a scheduled leave in Puerto Rico, had assumed some of Austin’s duties that week, as is routine. Hicks had secure communications at her location while on vacation, and was prepared to act for and exercise the powers of the secretary, if required.
Austin’s hospitalization has raised questions about the transparency and accountability of the Pentagon, as well as the health and fitness of the 70-year-old defense secretary. Austin, who is the first African American to lead the Pentagon, has been criticized over his handling of the withdrawal from Afghanistan, the rise of China, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Some have even called for his resignation or firing.
Austin, a retired four-star general, has a distinguished military career that spans over four decades. He has commanded in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan at the one-, two-, three- and four-star levels, and was the first African American to command a division, corps, and field army in combat. He is a recipient of the Silver Star, the nation’s third highest award for valor, and five Defense Distinguished Service Medals.