Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's ICU hospitalization cover-up scandal took a new turn Tuesday.
Audio of a 911 call in which one of Lloyd's aides called for an ambulance to his home in northern Virginia suggests that they deliberately tried to keep his hospitalization a secret.daily beast First reported the audioobtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.
The call, which took place on January 1, began with the aide identifying himself and then telling the dispatcher that he worked for Chief Austin. The aide then made an unusual request.
“Can I ask, why don't the ambulances show up with lights and sirens on? We're trying to be a little less visible,” the aide said.
The dispatcher replied, “Usually we stop cars when we get into residential areas, but the law requires us to drive alongside them.'' [on] Main Street…Main Streets are required to do so by law. ”
Most of the calls have been redacted to protect personal and confidential information, including the aide's name, personal contact information, Austin's address, and the reason Austin requested to go to the hospital. At one point, an aide asked if Austin could be transferred to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
The call ends with the dispatcher providing instructions to the aide to prepare for the arrival of medical personnel.
This hospitalization was controversial because, as it was later revealed, the Pentagon hid Austin's hospitalization from virtually everyone, including President Joe Biden, for days while claiming that Austin was working remotely. However, he also did not reveal the number of days that Austin underwent surgery. Before Christmas.
It is not yet clear who decided to cover up Austin's health issues or if anyone was held responsible.
Austin was finally released from the hospital on Monday.
“The Secretary continues to make a good recovery, and on the advice of his doctors, he will continue to recuperate and perform his duties remotely for a period of time before returning to the Department of Defense full-time,'' the Pentagon said in a statement. Said In a statement. “He has full access to the secure communications capabilities he needs.”
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