Washington DC – Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin should have immediately told the White House that he would be hospitalized, an American in the nation's capital told Fox News, adding that many would punish employees who committed similar actions.
Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on January 1st after experiencing pain. He and his team did not notify President Biden or other White House officials until January 4.
“It's disrespectful to miss work for three days and not tell anyone,” Cori, who lives in Washington, D.C., told Fox News. “If you're an employee, even an employer, and you don't show up to work, you don't answer the door, no matter what you're doing, it's ridiculous to miss three days.”
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was diagnosed with cancer in early December, but did not notify President Biden of the diagnosis until Tuesday. (Bloomberg via Getty Images/AP Photo)
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But Abu suspected that it was the secretary's fault.
”“If he was sick, it probably would have been someone else's fault, not him,” he said, “so he shouldn't resign.”
A Pentagon spokesperson had no comment, but pointed Fox News to a recent press release.
“At all times, the Deputy Secretary of Defense has been prepared to act on behalf of and exercise the authority of the Secretary as necessary,” he said. A January 5 Department of Defense press release stated:.
US workers get “fired” if they miss work without telling their boss, Americans say:
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Austin has been hospitalized since January 1 and spent several days in intensive care.
“This guy has a top job in the Cabinet, but he's not there and he hasn't told anyone where he is,” Miles told Fox News. “That's a bit of a concern.”
Austin has been receiving treatment since January 1st at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. ((Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images))
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center announced Tuesday that Austin underwent a prostatectomy on Dec. 22. diagnosed with prostate cancer At the beginning of the month.
Joe, who lives in Washington, D.C., told Fox News that the secretary should have notified him of Biden's condition sooner.
“The average employee isn't that important to an organization. But Austin is,” he said.
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Jacqueline said that if an employee didn't give notice before being absent, “they would have to be suspended or they would have to give notice that they were going to be fired. It's as simple as that.”
Dozens of House Republicans signed a letter sent to Mr. Austin questioning the delay in disclosing his health and who is aware of his status. House Democrats have also expressed a loss of confidence in Mr. Austin, saying his leadership lacks transparency.
Mr. Austin did not inform Mr. Biden of his cancer diagnosis until January 9, eight days after his hospitalization. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Senator/File)
“I don't know if it's a one-time, 'Hey, fire him or let him resign,'” Miles said. “It's still very fresh and new. There are some questions that need to be asked.”
Mr. Biden told reporters on Friday that he believed it was a mistake in Mr. Austin's judgment that the secretary did not tell him sooner.
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Another man said he would fire employees if they missed three days without notifying their boss.
“I understand it's cancer,” he said. “But I think if you work for someone, you should let them know that you have these issues.”
Click here for the full interview with Americans in Washington, DC.
