US defense secretary’s secretive hospital stay raises concerns over transparency

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s hospitalization for an undisclosed medical condition has come under fire from many quarters over a lack of transparency that kept even the White House in the dark about his whereabouts in a stark departure from normal protocol.

On Friday evening, the Pentagon issued a brief statement, saying Austin was hospitalized four days earlier.

Spokesman Pat Ryder said in the statement that Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland "for complications following a recent elective medical procedure.”

Ryder did not provide details, saying Austin "is recovering well and is expecting to resume his full duties today.”

He said Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks "was prepared to act for and exercise the powers of the Secretary, if required," according to a statement.

However, the delayed disclosure of Austin's hospital stay drew immediate criticism from the Pentagon Press Association, which represents media organizations that cover the Defense Department.

The association expressed "significant concerns" about the Pentagon’s "failure” to notify the public and media about Austin's hospitalization.

"The fact that he has been at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for four days and the Pentagon is only now alerting the public late on a Friday evening is an outrage," it said in a letter addressed to the agency.

Ryder held a press briefing on Thursday but did not make any remarks on Austin's situation and the news was kept secret.

Some US media reports indicate that Austin's hospital stay was kept secret not only from the public but also from senior US officials including Hicks and even President Joe Biden for three days.

"Not even the president was aware of Austin’s hospitalization until three days into his stay there," CNN said in one report.

The network also said that Hicks was on vacation in Puerto Rico at the time and was not informed about his hospitalization until Jan. 4. Ryder said however that "certain operational duties" were transferred to her on Jan. 2.

Austin spoke to Biden on Saturday and was also in contact with Hicks, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Charles Brown Jr. and his senior staff, the Pentagon said Sunday.

According to a US official who spoke to ABC News, Congress was first notified of Austin's hospitalization on Friday afternoon, shortly before it was made public.

- Taking responsibility

On Saturday, Austin released a statement to address the concerns surrounding his hospitalization, saying he takes full responsibility for his decisions about disclosure.

"I also understand the media concerns about transparency and I recognize I could have done a better job ensuring the public was appropriately informed. I commit to doing better," he said.

Ryder on Sunday provided new details regarding Austin's case, saying in one statement carried by multiple outlets that Austin had his elective procedure on Dec. 22 while on leave and then went home the next day.

Austin "began experiencing severe pain" and was transported to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he was admitted to the intensive care unit, said the spokesman.

He did not provide additional information, citing "privacy reasons.”

Austin “was placed in the hospital's intensive care unit to ensure immediate access...due to his medical needs, but then remained in that location in part due to hospital space considerations and privacy," Ryder added.

- 'Transparency'

House Armed Services Committee Chair Mike Rogers, a Republican, and Ranking Member Adam Smith, a Democrat, expressed concern about the handling of the disclosure of Austin's condition.

"Several questions remain unanswered, including what the medical procedure and resulting complications were, what the Secretary’s current health status is, how and when the delegation of the Secretary’s responsibilities were made, and the reason for the delay in notification to the President and Congress," they said in a joint statement.

“Transparency is vitally important," said the statement, demanding that Austin provide “additional details on his health and the decision-making process that occurred in the past week as soon as possible.”

The defense chief currently remains hospitalized at the military medical center and is recovering well, but a specific date for his release remains unknown.

Austin, 70, is a retired four-star army general who has been serving as the 28th secretary of defense since Jan. 22, 2021.

His hospitalization has occurred at a time when the Pentagon is being entangled in various critical global issues, including the Gaza conflict, Houthi attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea and the ongoing war in Ukraine.