White House Investigation: Delayed Notification of Defense Secretary Austin’s Medical Situation

Washington (USA): US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had prostate cancer and underwent a surgery called prostatectomy on December 22 to treat it. The cancer was found during a routine screening, and it was caught early, with a positive prognosis for recovery. However, on January 1, 2024, Austin faced complications and was readmitted to the hospital due to pain and a urinary tract infection. He was transferred to intensive care on January 2.

The news of Austin’s health was kept under wraps, and the White House and Pentagon are now investigating why President Biden and other top officials were not informed promptly. Some key responsibilities were transferred to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks during Austin’s hospitalization, but she and the White House were only notified on January 4.

Amid tensions in the Middle East and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, there’s criticism from Republicans and former President Trump, urging Austin to resign, citing transparency concerns. The Pentagon is reviewing the handling of transfer of authority to ensure better notification procedures in the future. Austin is expected to recover fully, but the situation has raised questions about transparency and communication within the government.