US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was admitted to a Washington hospital on Sunday for treatment related to symptoms indicative of a bladder condition.
According to Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder, Austin delegated his responsibilities to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks.
Austin’s health has been a point of contention among both Republican and Democratic legislators. Last month, they criticized Austin for not revealing a cancer diagnosis and subsequent hospital stays in December and January, a matter not even communicated to President Joe Biden. The oversight led to calls from notable Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, for Austin’s dismissal.
The situation proved to be a challenging moment for Biden, prompting an apology from Austin during a broadcast news conference. He is slated to address Congress on February 29 regarding this issue.
Despite acknowledging the oversight, President Biden, a Democrat, has expressed continued trust in Austin.
In response to the recent hospitalization, the Pentagon swiftly announced the temporary transfer of Austin’s duties, aiming to circumvent the political controversy experienced last month.
Austin, who made history as America’s first Black defence secretary and is a retired four-star general with leadership experience in Iraq, faced another hospital stay last month.
Presently, Austin is the subject of three separate investigations concerning his conduct, including a probe by the Pentagon’s Inspector General, an entity monitoring military expenditure, fraud, and abuse. Mike Rogers, the Republican chair of the House Armed Services Committee, has summoned Austin to testify.
Austin’s recent hospitalization leaves his travel plans uncertain. He was scheduled to attend a meeting in Brussels on Wednesday with the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.
