Pentagon Inspector General Launches Investigation into Defense Secretary's Handling of Prostate Cancer Hospitalization Amid Calls for Resignation

The Pentagon's independent inspector general announced Thursday that they will investigate Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's handling of his hospitalization for prostate cancer. This comes after growing calls for Austin to resign or be fired due to not disclosing his diagnosis to President Joe Biden and Congress for weeks, and not informing them about his hospitalization at the beginning of the year.

The investigation will focus on roles, processes, procedures, responsibilities, and actions related to Austin's hospitalization in December 2023 - January 2024, as well as assess whether Defense Department policies and procedures are sufficient to ensure timely and appropriate notifications and an effective transition of authorities due to health-based or other unavailability of senior leadership. Austin, a 70-year-old career soldier, underwent minor surgery to treat the cancer on December 22, and was readmitted due to complications including nausea and severe pain on January 1.

The White House was not informed about Austin's hospitalization until last Thursday, while Congress was not told until Friday, and Biden did not learn of the cancer diagnosis until this week. Republican lawmakers and some Democrats have expressed concern about the situation, with some calling for Austin to leave office and urging for more immediate explanations from the Pentagon. However, President Biden has not shown willingness to remove senior officials under pressure. The inspector general's probe is expected to bring clarity to this situation that has placed the Pentagon and Austin under scrutiny and facing mounting criticism.