Defense Secretary Under Fire for Lack of Transparency Surrounding Hospitalization

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin issued a statement pledging to do better after he faced criticism for failing to disclose his hospitalization after an elective procedure that took place on Jan. 1. The Pentagon only notified the White House about Austin's condition three days after he was admitted to the hospital, causing concerns over the lack of transparency surrounding the situation. The 70-year-old Austin remained hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Saturday, and it wasn't until late Saturday that he acknowledged "concerns" over the handling of his hospitalization.

The delay in informing the White House about Austin's hospitalization left Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks to temporarily assume his duties, raising questions about the chain of command within the Defense Department. The Pentagon issued a statement on Friday about Austin's hospitalization, with his spokesman, Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, stating that the defense secretary was recovering well and expected to resume his full duties soon. However, this belated announcement only added to the criticism of the lack of transparency from Austin and the Pentagon.

Sen. Tom Cotton, a member of the Armed Services Committee, demanded that Austin provide an explanation for the delay in notifying the White House. The Pentagon Press Association also expressed concern over the lack of transparency, stating that the public has a right to know when top government officials are hospitalized. President Joe Biden, however, appeared to acknowledge that the conversation with Austin about his hospitalization was warm and expressed confidence in the Defense Secretary. This incident has left many questioning the norms and expectations surrounding the public disclosure of the health conditions of senior government officials.