Someone is likely to lose their job at the Pentagon over a shocking scandal involving Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's secret ICU admission, but that person will not be the secretary.
Austin underwent a scheduled medical procedure before Christmas and was admitted to the ICU at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center last Monday due to severe complications. The Pentagon has not released details about the procedure or complications.
However, without informing President Joe Biden, senior administration officials, Congress, the Pentagon press corps, or even Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, who assumed some responsibility for Austin's duties while on vacation in Puerto Rico, Austin was to take on some of the duties. Hospitalization — Regarding the secretary's hospitalization, Austin's staff told everyone that Austin was working remotely.
The scandal sparked outrage over what appeared to be a shocking lack of transparency and blatant deception about the health of senior members of the cabinet.
politiko reported on Sunday There is growing pressure for someone to lose their job over this scandal.
“Somebody's got to turn heads,” a Pentagon official told the outlet.
A former senior Pentagon official agreed, explaining: [White House], telling Congress and the media that he's sick and then telling Pentagon officials that he's working from home is next level. This is a problem. Someone made the decision not to disclose. That person may be gone soon. ”
“You have to turn your head.” Said Brett Bruen is a former diplomat who worked in the Obama administration. “This is not a minor miscommunication. This is about the trust that our national security structure has in its leaders and that they are acting in a transparent manner.”
But that person is not Austin.
The White House confirmed Monday that Biden is not considering firing Austin.
White House official: “The president is not considering replacing Secretary Austin.'' Said. “The President continues to have full confidence in the Secretary.”
Yet another stakeholder is he told Politico Even if Austin offered to resign, Biden would not accept it.
Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary John Kirby downplayed the significance of the incident at a press briefing on Monday, telling reporters the administration would review its procedures for notifying the White House of health issues by Cabinet members.
“As you can imagine, we are here to review our processes and procedures and try to learn from this experience,” he said. Said. “If we need to make changes in terms of processes and procedures, we will make them.”
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