House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) on Tuesday launched a formal Congressional investigation into Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's hospitalization, clarifying the circumstances of his stay and what Pentagon and Biden administration officials are saying. He requested a “detailed explanation'' of why he had reported his absence.
In a letter to the 70-year-old deputy secretary of defense, the Alabama Republican lawmaker said he was admitted to Walter Reed National Guard on Jan. 1 after complications related to a December surgery to treat prostate cancer. He called Austin's efforts to cover up his admission to the medical center “outrageous.” defenseman Kathleen Hicks and Austin chief of staff Kelly Magsamen;
“Given the wars in Ukraine and Israel, the idea that the White House or even your own vice president did not understand the nature of your condition is clearly unacceptable,” Secretary of Defense Rogers scolded. in his letter.
“Everything from ongoing counterterrorism operations to nuclear command and control relies on a clear understanding of the Secretary's decision-making capabilities,” he said. “The Department is a strong institution, designed to function under enemy attack, but it is not designed for a secretary who hides his incompetence.”
Rogers said Austin, who remains hospitalized but works for Walter Reed, was given “any form of medical sedation or general anesthesia” between January 1 and his return to duty. It requires them to provide details and “provide Congress with an accounting of all official actions.” It was taken or approved by him while in the hospital.
The House Armed Services Committee chairman also provided a “detailed explanation” of Mr. Austin's efforts to transfer responsibility to Mr. Hicks, who was vacationing in Puerto Rico at the time, and whether the deputy defense secretary “took any action” during her stay. We are also seeking information on whether or not this is the case. He was replacing a senior official at the Pentagon.
Mr. Rogers also included all written communications between the Secretary of Defense and his staff regarding Mr. Austin's “health status, medical treatment, whereabouts, and operational ability to lead the Department of Defense” during his hospitalization, as well as all written communications between Mr. It called for communications between Biden administration officials.
Austin underwent his first prostatectomy on Dec. 22 and developed “severe abdominal, hip and leg pain” late on New Year's Day due to a urinary tract infection, doctors announced Tuesday.
It wasn't until Tuesday that the secretary informed President Biden, his staff, and the public of his cancer diagnosis.
Magsamen announced on Tuesday that the Pentagon's Office of Management would “lead an immediate review” of the incident and “evaluate the processes and procedures that informed the deputy secretary of defense to perform” the retired general's duties. .
But a Pentagon spokesperson blamed Magsamen for the delay in notifying him of Austin's condition, saying on Monday that the message was not sent because the chief of staff in charge of communications was out with the flu at the time. Stated.
