President Biden acknowledged Friday that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made an error in judgment in not telling him and the public about his hospitalization last week, but he still has confidence in the Pentagon chief's leadership.
During a visit to a small business outside Allentown, Pennsylvania, Mr. Biden was asked by reporters whether Mr. Austin made a mistake in not telling him about his condition, and he answered, “Yes.”
When a reporter asked if he still had confidence in Austin's leadership following the hospitalization fiasco, Biden said, “I have confidence.”
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U.S. President Joe Biden speaks to reporters during a visit to Nowhere Coffee Shop in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, on January 12, 2024. (Mandel Gann/AFP via Getty Images)
Austin, 70, remains hospitalized as he is being treated for complications following prostate cancer surgery.
The Department of Defense announced this on January 5th. Austin was there He has been hospitalized since January 1 due to complications from elective surgery.
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However, it was later revealed that not only was the media kept in the dark, but that the highest levels of the White House and the Pentagon did not know that Austin was hospitalized until January 4th.
The nondisclosure raised bipartisan concerns, with top Democrats and Republicans on the House and Senate Armed Services Committees calling for more transparency about the incident.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was hospitalized this month after suffering severe pain following elective surgery to treat prostate cancer. (Ian Waldie/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
In a statement to Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy, the White House confirmed that Biden continues to have “full faith and confidence” in Pentagon leadership.
“The president has full confidence in Secretary Austin and looks forward to returning to the Pentagon,” the official said.
The Pentagon echoed. On Monday, Austin outlined the White House's position in a statement to Fox News Digital, saying he also has no intention of resigning.
“Secretary Austin has no plans to resign,” Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement. “He remains focused on fulfilling his duties as Secretary of Defense.”
US President Joe Biden arrives to visit South Mountain Cycles in Emmaus, Pennsylvania on January 12, 2024. Biden is visiting several small businesses to promote his Bidennomics economic plan. (Photo by Mandel NGAN/AFP) (Photo by Mandel NGAN/AFP via Getty Images) (Mandel Gann/AFP via Getty Images)
Austin's hospitalization began on New Year's Day.
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Details of his visit were not disclosed, other than that he was there for a scheduled surgery.
The Associated Press and FOX News' Anders Hagström contributed to this report.
