Austin says he could have better informed public about hospitalization

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the public could have been better informed about the recent hospitalizations, citing concerns about transparency and what the Pentagon knew.

“I am very happy to see him on the mend and look forward to returning to the Department of Defense soon.” Austin said in a statement Saturday. “I also understand that the media is concerned about transparency, and I recognize that we could have ensured that the public was properly informed. I am determined to do better.” I will do my best.”

“But this is important: This is my medical procedure, and I take full responsibility for decisions regarding disclosure,” Austin added.

The Pentagon announced Friday that Austin was admitted to Walter Reed Army Medical Center on Monday night. He went to the hospital for “complications following a recent elective medical procedure.”

Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement Friday that “the Deputy Secretary of Defense has always stood ready to deputize and exercise the authority of the Deputy Secretary of Defense as needed.”

Ryder said it is unclear when Austin will be released from the hospital, but he is recovering.

But the Pentagon's failure to publicize Austin's hospitalization would be outrageous for the president and other senior U.S. officials and Cabinet members, the Associated Press reported.

The Pentagon Press Association, a group of reporters who cover the Pentagon, sent a letter expressing outrage at the lack of information.

“Keeping Americans informed about their health status is especially important at a time when threats to U.S. service members in the Middle East are increasing and the United States plays a critical national security role in the wars in Israel and Ukraine.” According to the Associated Press, the letter also includes the decision-making capabilities of top defense officials.

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released a statement on the news of Austin's hospitalization.

“I'm happy to hear that @SecDef's condition has improved and I wish him a speedy recovery. However, the fact remains that the Department of Defense deliberately withheld the Secretary of Defense's medical condition for several days. That is unacceptable,” Wicker said online, adding that the public deserves to know.

“Unfortunately, we now have more questions than answers.” According to Wicker's statement:added that the incident “further undermines confidence in the Biden administration.”

The White House did not say when or how it was informed of Austin's hospitalization. According to Politicothe Pentagon did not inform President Biden or other senior administration officials for three days.

“I would like to thank the wonderful doctors and nursing staff at Walter Reed Hospital for the exceptional care they provided me and the personal warmth they showed my family,” Austin said in a statement. “I would also like to thank her for all the help and blessings from her colleagues and friends. Charlene and I are very grateful for your support.

It was not immediately clear what the elective medical procedure was. Austin, 70, is a retired Army four-star general with more than 40 years of military service, The Hill previously reported.