All Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday demanded answers from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin after the committee chairman launched a formal investigation into the disappearances.
Austin was admitted to the hospital on January 1st due to complications from surgery to treat prostate cancer on December 22nd. However, Austin kept his hospitalization a secret from President Joe Biden, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks until January 4. He also did not tell Biden about his prostate cancer diagnosis in early December or about the surgery.
The Pentagon claims that Austin transferred “certain” responsibilities to Hicks (who was on vacation in Puerto Rico at the time) on Jan. 2, but is vague about what those responsibilities were.
RELATED: Top House military Democrat — Biden should appreciate firing Austin, but his actions cannot be explained
That means Hicks may have become the de facto secretary of defense without knowing it.
Republicans and some Democrats are furious that Mr. Austin did not even inform Mr. Biden about his hospitalization, which left him at least partially incapacitated from Jan. 1 to Jan. 5. The Pentagon announced that Austin assumed “full assignment” on January 5. He is hospitalized as of January 10th.
Republican lawmakers sent a letter to Austin saying:
A clear answer as to who made the decision that Congress, the public, and even the Biden administration did not understand that Deputy Secretary Hicks was actually acting as Secretary of Defense, and the White House did not recognize the same. It is necessary to obtain
It is ridiculous that you and others in the department would allow something like this to happen in the midst of conflict all over the world. This level of confusion over not only your location but your ability to lead the ministry has shaken what little confidence we had in our previous commitment to transparency.
Additionally, “you fail to ensure a smooth transition from day-to-day management and leadership of the department by failing to clearly and immediately transfer authority to your deputy and initiate disclosure to relevant officials.'' I did,” he added.
They said the Pentagon was investigating what happened, but said, “This is hardly an independent investigation.”
The House Armed Services Committee has oversight of the Department of Defense as part of the House of Representatives.
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On Tuesday, committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) launched an investigation into what happened and asked Austin, Hicks and Austin's chief of staff, Kelly Magsamen, to “promptly” answer a series of questions. I sent a letter asking them to do so.
Mr. Rogers wrote to Austin: It is unacceptable that the Department of Defense, the White House, and Congress were not accurately informed of your status and capabilities. 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. ”
“I am perplexed that you were acting in your capacity as Secretary of Defense without fully understanding his condition,” Rogers told Hicks.
Mr. Rogers wrote to Mr. Magsamen: Magsamen was reportedly informed of Austin's hospitalization on January 2, but did not inform the White House for two days because he had the “flu.”
According to the report, you “did not say anything to White House officials pending updates on the Secretary's medical condition” and did not “notify the White House until two days later,” including the US President's National Security Advisor. He said. As you know, this lack of transparency is unacceptable and can lead to disaster.
In a follow-up letter Thursday, Republican lawmakers said they needed to act “as soon as possible.”
“The Committee has sent an inquiry to you, Deputy Secretary Hicks, and Ms. Magsamen regarding your sudden disappearance and absence from duty as Secretary of Defense. It is imperative that you and other recipients respond as soon as possible. ” they said.
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