Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin acknowledged in a statement Saturday that the White House and Congress could have done more to inform the public about what was largely kept secret during his nearly five-day hospitalization.
The Pentagon said Friday night that Austin was admitted to Walter Reed Hospital on Monday due to unspecified complications arising from an elective medical procedure. White House National Security Council (NSC) officials said Saturday that they were not informed of Austin's hospitalization until Thursday, but Congress and most of the Pentagon leadership said they were not informed until Friday. However, he was recovering.
“I know we could have done a better job making sure the public had the right information. I am committed to doing better,” Austin said in a statement Saturday.
“But this is important: this is my medical practice and I take full responsibility for decisions regarding disclosure,” he added. (Related: Christmas Day drone attack leaves US soldier with shrapnel in brain, still in coma)
It remains unclear exactly what led to Austin's emergency admission, the nature of his elective surgery, or the extent to which Austin was aware of the unfolding events. It is also unclear whether Austin's office intended to continue to block communications regarding the incident.
The Pentagon's secrecy about the ordeal has sparked confusion and anger among Pentagon officials, lawmakers, and reporters over the Pentagon's lack of transparency as conflict escalates in the Middle East, according to Politico. report. President Joe Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, was not informed of Austin's absence from the Pentagon until Thursday.
Austin had been in the hospital's intensive care unit for four days, NBC News. reportsaid two government officials. He remained at the hospital Saturday.
“The Deputy Secretary of Defense has always been prepared to exercise his authority on behalf of the Deputy Secretary of Defense as necessary,” Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement Friday.
Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks was on a scheduled vacation in Puerto Rico when the Austin emergency occurred, defense officials told NBC News.
The deputy commander of the Pentagon “has maintained full communication with Pentagon personnel, oversees the day-to-day operations of the Pentagon, and has conducted some day-to-day operations,” the official said.
Austin said he expects to recover and looks forward to returning to the Pentagon “soon.”
News: Self-defense attack in Iraq kills terrorist leader https://t.co/ZRtREIF0ih
— Department of Defense🇺🇸 (@Deptof Defense) January 4, 2024
Meanwhile, early Thursday local time, the United States conducted retaliatory airstrikes targeting militia commanders in eastern Baghdad in response to a spate of attacks on American forces in Iraq and Syria. Iraq's prime minister on Friday threatened to expel all troops assigned to the U.S.-led coalition to wipe out Islamic State in the country in the wake of the airstrikes.
On Saturday, the guided missile destroyer USS Rabun shot down a one-way attack drone launched by the Iranian-backed Houthis “in self-defense,” US Central Command (CENTCOM) said. Said. The Houthis have attacked commercial ships and flown drones near U.S. warships dozens of times.
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