Democratic lawmakers called for Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to resign after he delayed informing the Biden administration of his cancer diagnosis.
Rep. Chris Delzio (D-Pa.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, shared a message about Austin Wednesday afternoon.
“Due to the lack of transparency regarding Secretary Lloyd Austin's recent medical treatment and its impact on continuity of command, I have lost confidence in Secretary Lloyd Austin's leadership of the Department of Defense,” Delzio said. I mentioned it in the post.
“As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I have a solemn duty in Congress to provide oversight of the Department of Defense,” Delzio said. “Today's mission requires me to ask Secretary Austin to resign.”
Lloyd Austin's hospitalization: Department of Defense communications reveal new details
Today, because of that mission, I am required to call on Secretary Austin to resign.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin remains hospitalized a week after suffering severe pain following elective surgery, the Pentagon announced Monday. (Ian Waldie/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Rhode Island Democratic Sen. Jack Reed, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, criticized Mr. Austin but stopped short of calling for his resignation.
“We wish Secretary Austin a speedy and full recovery. We remain concerned that important chain of command and notification procedures were not followed while Secretary Austin was receiving treatment. He has taken responsibility for this situation. “This is a serious incident that requires a necessary response. We need transparency and accountability from the department,” Reid said. stated in a statement.
“This lack of disclosure should never happen again,” Reid said. “I am following the situation closely, and the Department of Defense is well aware of my interest in all relevant information.” I am aware of it,” he said.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin pauses during a press conference at the Pentagon on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Delzio was the first House Democrat to call for Austin to resign, but the Republican-led House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday launched a formal investigation into Austin over the incident.
Pentagon officials are stunned that the secretary of defense kept cancer diagnosis a secret from the president, calling him 'reckless'
Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Alabama) announced the investigation. in a statement “Everything from ongoing counterterrorism operations to nuclear command and control relies on a clear understanding of Austin's 'decision-making capabilities,'” he said Tuesday afternoon.
“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 wrote.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin testifies before a House subcommittee on May 11, 2022 in Washington, DC. (AP/Jose Luis Magana)
Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on December 22nd and underwent surgery to treat cancer. He developed an infection a week later.
Biden et al. Government officials were not informed of his hospitalization or cancer for several days.
Doctors said the cancer was discovered when Austin underwent a routine check-up in early December.
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His prostate cancer was detected early and his prognosis was good.
Deluzio and Reid's offices did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment.
