Lloyd Austin's secret hospitalization scandal: The US Secretary of Defense has no intention of resigning.
Pentagon spokesman Gen. Pat Ryder told Fox News that Austin intends to remain in office. "He is focused on fulfilling his duties as our nation's secretary of defense," he said.
Reminder: A week ago, the Secretary of Defense was hospitalized at Walter Reed Military Medical Center following a complication of a medical procedure. Due to "severe pain," Austin was in intensive care and remained for observation for several days. Last Friday, Austin fully returned to duty. However, it was soon revealed that President Biden had not been informed of Austin's temporary incapacitation.
Perhaps just as serious, it was reported last night that even Austin's deputy, Kathleen Hicks, did not know about the hospitalization when she received the authority from him. Hicks, No. 2 at the Pentagon, joins a string of senior U.S. officials who are not aware of Austin's condition until a few days later.
Ryder also addressed this, saying that Austin's chief of staff, Kelly Magseman, did not immediately inform Washington officials of his condition because she was ill. However, just days after his hospitalization, Megasman informed Deputy Hicks and U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan of Austin's condition.
On Saturday, Austin issued a clarification on the matter. "I am aware that I should have done a better job of informing the public and I pledge to do so," he wrote. "This was a medical procedure and I take full responsibility for the decision to expose the matter."
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said President Biden has "absolute confidence" in Secretary of Defense Austin. She said the two had already spoken on Saturday and the president expressed appreciation that Austin had accepted full responsibility.
Last night, former President Donald Trump also addressed the affair. "The failed Secretary of Defense should be immediately fired for unprofessional conduct and negligence in his duties," he wrote on his TruthSocial social network. "He was away from office for a week and no one, including his boss, Joe Biden, had any idea where he was or might be. He performed poorly and should have been dismissed a long time ago."
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