Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is scheduled to undergo a medical procedure on Friday evening, meaning Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks will “take over” his duties in the interim.
Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder issued a statement saying Austin “will undergo an elective, minimally invasive follow-up non-surgical procedure as planned” related to a bladder issue he suffered earlier this year.
Austin was admitted to hospital in February with “urgent bladder issues,” just weeks after being admitted following treatment for prostate cancer.
“The Secretary of Defense has determined that he is temporarily unable to perform his duties during this process,” a Pentagon statement said. “Deputy Secretary of Defense Catherine Hicks will assume the duties of Secretary of Defense and serve as Acting Secretary of Defense.”
In a press release, the Department of Defense stated that “the Secretary of Defense’s bladder issues are not related to his cancer diagnosis” and that it does not affect his “positive cancer prognosis.”
After the White House launched an investigation into Lloyd’s hospitalization in early January, the Pentagon revealed that Lloyd was undergoing treatment for prostate cancer without informing President Joe Biden, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan or Lloyd’s aides.
The Department of Defense revealed on January 5 that Austin had been hospitalized on New Year’s Day.
