President Biden was frustrated at the delayed notification of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s hospitalization, which was only made public after several days.
The White House stands by Austin, and a review will be conducted regarding the unusual disclosure of his medical treatment.
The timeline of information sharing about Austin’s health issues has raised questions, and the Pentagon has provided details about his hospitalization.
The White House reportedly “has full confidence in Secretary Austin” and is “looking forward to him being back at the Pentagon.”
Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said, “For privacy reasons, we’re not able to provide additional information. He was placed in the hospital’s intensive care unit to ensure immediate access … due to his medical needs, but then remained in that location in part due to hospital space considerations and privacy.”
Austin, recovering well, admitted to the lack of public information and took responsibility for the disclosure.
Austin wrote in a statement that he “could have done a better job ensuring the public was appropriately informed. I commit to doing better.”
“But this is important to say: this was my medical procedure, and I take full responsibility for my decisions about disclosure,” he added.
The Pentagon, under Austin’s leadership, is currently involved in significant international matters.
