USA, criticism of the lack of transparency regarding the hospitalization of the head of the Pentagon

2024-01-07 21:58:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

USA, criticism of the lack of transparency regarding the hospitalization of the

Senior leaders of President Biden's administration, top Pentagon officials and US lawmakers were unaware that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was hospitalized as of Monday, US officials said Saturday. The case has raised many questions about his health and the secrecy surrounding Mr. Austin's medical treatment. The Pentagon did not inform White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan of Mr. Austin's admission to Walter Reed Military Hospital in Maryland until Thursday, according to two US officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The Pentagon's withholding of information about Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's hospitalization for several days reflects an unusual lack of transparency about his illness, the seriousness of his medical condition and the date of his discharge. This lack of transparency at a time when the United States is facing a series of national security crises runs counter to the normal practices of the president, other senior officials and members of the US cabinet.

However, President Biden spoke with Mr. Austin on Saturday and expressed confidence in him, a White House official said on condition of anonymity.

In a statement released Saturday, Secretary Austin took responsibility for the delay in notifying the public about his health condition.

"I understand that I could have done a better job of informing the public. I promise that I will do a better job in this regard," he said through the statement, acknowledging concerns about lack of transparency. "But it is important to say that this was a medical intervention of mine and I take full responsibility for the decisions on public notification of this matter," he added.

Austin, 70, remains hospitalized with complications from a medical procedure, the Pentagon spokesman said. In his statement, Austin said he was recovering but did not elaborate on the reason for his hospitalization.

Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said members of Congress were informed of Mr. Austin's hospitalization Friday afternoon. It is not clear whether senior members of Mr. Austin's staff were notified of the medical intervention, but most Pentagon personnel were briefed on the matter by the Pentagon statement released on Friday. Most of them thought Secretary Austin was on vacation during the week.

Department of Defense Undersecretary Kathleen Hicks assumed Secretary Austin's responsibilities following his hospitalization. A government official said the undersecretary, who was in Puerto Rico at the time, had all the necessary communications to enable her to carry out her duties while Mr. Austin, a four-star general who has had a 41-year career in the U.S. Army , was unable to perform his duties due to medical intervention.

Spokesman Ryder said Saturday that Mr. Austin was recovering and as of Friday evening was performing his duties at Walter Reed Hospital. He said that due to privacy, "changing circumstances" and medical conditions, the Pentagon did not make Secretary Austin's absence public.

Republican Senators Roger Wicker and Tom Cotton criticized the Defense Department, saying its officials deliberately failed to notify the public about Mr. Austin's health.

The Pentagon Press Association, which represents media outlets there, also sent a letter of protest Friday to Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder and Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Chris Meagher over the lack of transparency and information about the Secretary's health. Austin.

Other US officials have been more transparent about their hospitalization. United States Attorney General Merrick Garland, who underwent a medical intervention in 2022, informed his office and the public a week before the medical intervention about the day he would be released from the hospital and when he would return to work.

Secretary Austin's hospitalization comes at a time when Iranian-backed militant groups are carrying out missile and drone attacks against US bases in Iraq and Syria, the Israel-Hamas conflict and the war in Ukraine./ VOA