Pentagon chief in critical care unit, transfers power to deputy

Walter Reed Military Medical Center officials announced that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was admitted to the critical care unit with bladder problems Sunday night after transferring his duties to the deputy secretary of defense early Sunday.

Austin, 70, underwent a series of tests and evaluations at Walter Reed on Sunday night after exhibiting symptoms “suggestive of an urgent bladder issue” earlier in the day, hospital doctors said. . said in a statement. He was then admitted to the critical care unit for “supportive care and close monitoring,” the doctors added.

The Pentagon announced Austin’s hospitalization early Sunday and confirmed shortly before 5 p.m. that Austin would hand over his duties and duties to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks. Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder initially said: Austin had said he would “maintain” his duties and duties in the White House, but the deputy chief of staff said he was ready if he needed to take on the duties.

Walter Reed officials do not have an estimate of how long Austin will be hospitalized.

The top defense secretary was diagnosed with prostate cancer in early December, and doctors said Sunday they do not expect the bladder problem to affect his expected recovery. Doctors said his cancer prognosis remained “good.”

in him first statement On Sunday afternoon, Ryder confirmed that notification of Austin’s hospitalization had been sent to the deputy secretary of defense, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the White House and Congress.

It’s been more than a month since Austin was hospitalized for several weeks in early January due to an infection related to prostate cancer surgery on Dec. 22. The New Year’s admission was controversial, as news broke to the White House and Hicks was not informed of his hospitalization until January 4, days after his January 1 admission.

Austin spent several days in Walter Reed’s intensive care unit (ICU). After his release, he performed his duties at his home and returned to the Pentagon on January 29.

Austin also did not reveal his prostate cancer diagnosis until January 9, nearly a month after it was discovered during a medical exam in early December.

Earlier this month, the Pentagon chief apologized for failing to notify government officials and acknowledged that he had “failed to take action on this right.” He claimed he did not instruct his staff to keep the admission confidential, but admitted he did not notify them.

“Let me be clear: We did not handle this right. I did not handle this right. I should have told the president about the cancer diagnosis,” Austin said on February 1. He spoke at a press conference on the day. “I should have told my team and the American people, and I take full responsibility. I apologize to my teammates and the American people.”

The Pentagon’s inspector general opened an investigation into the incident, and the Pentagon conducted a 30-day internal review of its policies and procedures.

The White House changed its policy in response to the incident, ordering Cabinet members to notify them if they are unable to perform their duties.

Mr. Austin is scheduled to testify before the House Armed Services Committee on February 29, following increased scrutiny from defense hawks in the House Republican Party.