- Attorney General Merrick Garland is scheduled to undergo back surgery, described as “minimally invasive,” with a recovery period expected to last a week. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco will assume his duties during the procedure.
- Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has returned to the Pentagon after hospitalization for prostate cancer, which raised questions about lack of disclosure. Ongoing reviews and changes in federal guidelines aim to ensure transparency when Cabinet members are unable to perform their duties due to health issues.
- In a previous medical procedure, Garland’s office provided advance notice to the public, sharing details of his absence and return to work, highlighting a contrast with the lack of transparency surrounding Austin’s health issue.
Additional Coverage:
Attorney General Merrick Garland is set to undergo back surgery this weekend, according to the Justice Department. During the procedure, Garland will be under general anesthesia for about 90 minutes. The surgery is described as “minimally invasive” and he is expected to return home the same day. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco will assume Garland’s duties before, during, and after the procedure as he recovers from anesthesia. Garland plans to return to work in the week of February 5.
In related news, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has returned to the Pentagon after being hospitalized for prostate cancer. Austin had undergone surgery on December 22 and was later admitted to intensive care due to severe pain. His decision to keep his health issue a secret sparked controversy. As a result, there are now ongoing reviews and changes in federal guidelines to ensure proper disclosure when Cabinet members are unable to carry out their duties. The Justice Department informed the White House of Garland’s delegation plan, as per the new guidelines.
It is worth noting that when Garland had a routine medical procedure in 2022, his office informed the public ahead of time, providing details about his expected absence and return to work.