Austin was hospitalized for some issues after treatment for prostrate cancer
The Defense Department and White House Investigating the Secrecy Around Austin’s Hospitalization, according to a memo by J.C. Magsamen
Cabinet members were told to submit their current protocols in writing by Friday, and that they need to inform the White House of any potential cases where they need to delegate authority.
While the review is underway, Ms. Magsamen directed that if the secretary’s power is delegated again, his office should notify the chairman and vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the combatant commanders, service secretaries and chiefs of staff, the Pentagon general counsel, senior aides to the secretary and his deputy and the White House Situation Room.
The Defense Department has ordered its own 30-day review of what happened and how its procedures should be changed if necessary. In the memo obtained by The Times, Mr. Austin’s chief of staff ordered the director of administration and management to identify relevant facts and circumstances in order to evaluate the process through which they were carried out.
Mr. Austin resumed his duties on Friday from his hospital bed and “has received operational updates and has provided necessary guidance” from there, Maj. Gen. Patrick S. Ryder, the Pentagon spokesman, said in a statement on Monday, but it was not clear when he would be released. The secretary is in good spirits, the Pentagon said.
Kirby said Biden didn’t know about Austin’s hospitalization until late Thursday, after Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser, and a few other people learned about it. Kirby said that the two men haven’t spoken since Saturday.
Austin was admitted to Walter Reed on January 1st and had a series of problems from the December procedure. The statement said that the initial evaluation revealed a urinary tract infection.
The secrecy surrounding Austin’s hospitalization prompted the White House to take a hard look at rules for Cabinet members, according to a memo obtained by NPR.
“It’s not optimal to have a situation like that for long without the commander in chief knowing or the national security adviser knowing about it.” Kirby said at the White House. That isn’t the way this is supposed to happen.
Secretary Austin, a man who never lost consciousness, was hospitalized for complications following treatment for prostate cancer, according to an npr.org statement
“Changes in his laboratory evaluation in early December 2023 identified prostate cancer which required treatment,” the statement said. “On December 22, 2023, after consultation with his medical team, he was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and underwent a minimally invasive surgical procedure called a prostatectomy to treat and cure prostate cancer.”
A prostatectomy is the surgical removal of the male reproductive system. Sometimes the operation is done in a minimally invasive way, using something like a robot to help the surgeon perform the operation more precisely. The Pentagon still considers Austin’s procedure to be “elective.” Despite Walter Reed issuing a statement that Austin required treatment, the Pentagon has continued to call it “elective.”
The back up of his bowels was caused by this and he had to drain his stomach with a tube through his nose. The abdominal fluid collections were drained by non-surgical drain placement,” the statement said. “He has progressed quite a bit over the course of his stay.” His infection has gone away. He continues to make progress and we anticipate a full recovery although this can be a slow process. During this stay, Secretary Austin never lost consciousness and never underwent general anesthesia.”
Source: Austin was hospitalized for complications following treatment for prostate cancer
“I’m glad he’s at the meeting and I’ll be sure to talk to him soon,” Rep. N. E. Morita said
I’m glad he’s addressing it. I just wish that he had been more forthcoming about it,” he said. I think his transparency is important. We did not see that. And that raises a lot of concerns and questions in his position — with all the national security interests of the country at risk.”
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was hospitalised on December 22 for complications following surgery for prostate cancer, the Pentagon said on Monday. Austin underwent a ” minimally invasive surgical procedure called a prostatectomy to treat and cure prostate cancer”, it added. He was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection, which is treatable with antibiotic treatment. Austin is in good spirits, the Pentagon said.