Senior leaders in Joe Biden’s administration, top Pentagon officials and members of Congress were unaware for days that US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin had been in hospital since New Year’s Day, American officials have said.
The Pentagon did not inform the White House National Security Council or top adviser Jake Sullivan of Mr Austin’s hospital admission until Thursday, two administration officials told the Associated Press.
Mr Biden was only informed on Thursday evening, four days into Mr Austin’s stay at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, another official told Reuters.
The 70-year-old sits just below the president at the top of the chain of command of the US military and his duties require him to be available at a moment’s notice to respond to any manner of national security crises.
It remains unclear the extent to which his duties were delegated to his deputy, Kathleen Hicks, or whether Mr Austin was involved in any key decisions during his absence.
The defence secretary released a statement on Saturday to say he took “full responsibility” for the secrecy surrounding his ongoing, week-long hospital treatment for an unspecified medical condition.
“I recognise I could have done a better job ensuring the public was appropriately informed. I commit to doing better,” he said.
“But this is important to say: this was my medical procedure, and I take full responsibility for my decisions about disclosure.”
Mr Austin remained in hospital due to complications following a minor elective medical procedure, his press secretary said.
In his statement, Mr Austin said he is on the mend and is looking forward to returning to the Pentagon soon.
President Biden spoke to Mr Austin on Saturday and expressed confidence in him, a White House official said.
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Pentagon Press Association criticises secrecy
The Pentagon Press Association (PPA) sent a letter to Pentagon officials criticising the defence department’s secrecy and saying Mr Austin was a public figure who had no claim to medical privacy in such a situation.
It noted even US presidents disclose when they must delegate duties due to medical procedures.
“At a time when there are growing threats to US military service members in the Middle East and the US is playing key national security roles in the wars in Israel and Ukraine, it is particularly critical for the American public to be informed about the health status and decision-making ability of its top defence leader,” the PPA said.
