The Pentagon's official watchdog agency announced it will conduct an internal investigation in December and January into the circumstances surrounding the undisclosed hospitalization of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, according to a memo released to the public Thursday.
Austin and the staff closest to him were unable to communicate his prostate cancer diagnosis in early December or his treatment on December 22nd, during which time the Secretary of Defense experience general anesthesia, to the vice president of the White House or to a key national security leader. Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks and the White House then revealed that Austin was taken by ambulance to a hospital on January 1 after suffering complications from the still-secret procedure and was placed in the intensive care unit (ICU). I still didn't know when it happened until January 1st. 4. The memo may be a violation of protocols that the Department of Defense (DOD) oversight agency has promised to investigate. To tell.
“The purpose of the review is to examine the roles, processes, procedures, responsibilities, and actions related to the Secretary of Defense's hospitalization from December 2023 to January 2024 and to ensure that Department of Defense policies and procedures ensure timely and appropriate notification. “Effective transition of authority that may be justified by health reasons or other senior leadership absences,'' said Robert of the Department of Defense. Inspector General Storch stated in a January 10 memo to Austin and Hicks.
Lawmakers and experts have expressed concern about the potential for confusion in the chain of command and breach of trust arising from the secrecy surrounding Mr. Austin's illness and hospitalization. (Related: Prostategate: Did America Have No Functioning Secretary of Defense During Lloyd Austin's Secret Hospitalization?)
Austin's chief of staff on Tuesday identified the fact that Austin did not disclose to key officials, including the deputy secretary of defense, that Austin had been hospitalized for several days and delegated some of his authority to his deputy. ordered a 30-day internal investigation into the matter. Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Additionally, the White House ordered all executive agencies to review their procedures for delegating authority when a department secretary is unable to perform his or her duties following reports of Austin's undisclosed hospitalization.
Hicks said she was on vacation in Puerto Rico from January 1st to January 4th when she learned why Austin had transferred some of her authority, and that she had been performing some day-to-day tasks on Austin's behalf. It is being
The Inspector General's review may expand in scope as needed and will be conducted in the “Office of the Secretary of Defense,” but will also include “additional offices and personnel who may have information relevant to our review.” may be identified,” Storch wrote.
They just dropped articles of impeachment against the Department of Defense. Lloyd Austin.
The pattern of misinformation and lies he provided to the American people is a serious threat to national security and cannot be tolerated.
It's time to make a change. pic.twitter.com/2GZi2trSPD
— Matt Rosendale (@RepRosendale) January 10, 2024
Uncertainty remains as to where communications were lost.
Chief of Staff Kelly Magsamen was aware that Austin was in the ICU, but was unable to follow the proper notification process due to her own illness, Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said. Ta. Said Monday. The White House reportedly advised the Pentagon last Friday to inform the public that Austin was hospitalized, and remains unwilling to speak publicly about Austin's condition. It suggests that.
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