The Pentagon has determined that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin did not have malicious intent in concealing his Jan. 1 hospitalization from key national security officials, Congress and the president, according to a summary released Monday.
In January, the Pentagon conducted a 30-day internal investigation into the circumstances of Austin's disappearance while he was hospitalized dealing with post-surgery complications, to determine whether command procedures were not followed correctly. I promised to do it. Here is the final uncategorized summary: released On Monday, he denied any attempt to cover up Austin's illness or hospitalization, blaming privacy laws and Austin's murky medical situation for the confusion.
“The process for making decisions to transfer the Secretary's authority can and should be improved,” the summary concluded. “Nothing examined during this review indicated any malicious intent or attempts at obfuscation.” (Related: Deputy Director Austin returns to hospital)
Austin delegated some authority to the Pentagon's deputy commander for several days without disclosing to key officials, including the deputy secretary of defense, that he had been hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Kelly Magsamen, Austin's chief of staff, said: Said With notes. Austin's second-in-command, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, apparently didn't know that his boss was being relieved of duty while on vacation in Puerto Rico, and performed some day-to-day tasks on Austin's behalf. Was.
“Medical privacy laws prohibited health care providers from openly sharing medical information with the Secretary's staff,” the brief states. He added that Austin's staff was “hesitant to pry or share information they did learn” due to privacy concerns.
“The Secretary's medical situation remains in flux and timely and secure communication could not be guaranteed as long as he remained in the critical care unit.”
.@SecDef Lloyd J. Austin III delivers opening remarks at the Ukraine Defense Liaison Group meeting. pic.twitter.com/UgtKhwNfMj
— Department of Defense🇺🇸 (@Deptof Defense) February 14, 2024
This review clarified the timeline of events.
The report said Austin underwent a medical procedure to cure prostate cancer on December 22, but the details were not disclosed, and he was discharged home during the holidays. On January 1, he completed some official duties at his home before his work was interrupted by nausea and pain in his abdomen, lower back, and legs. By that evening, he was taken by ambulance to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and admitted.
“Secretary Austin's security and communications personnel were in close proximity to him at all times,” the review states. He was admitted to the critical care ward on January 2nd, but due to official duties, he was unable to communicate in a timely manner.
Austin's military aide contacted Hicks' team and completed the “transition of authority” process that afternoon.
Austin's senior military aide told Mr. Magsamen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. C.Q. Brown, and assistant secretary for public affairs. Mr. Hicks was informed of the transfer and prepared to take his place, but did not learn that Mr. Austin had been hospitalized until January 5.
Congress underwent a full security review, said Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said Monday. Mr. Austin is scheduled to appear before Congress on Thursday to justify his undisclosed absence.
The Pentagon's independent inspector general is conducting a separate investigation into the incident.
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