Additional Coverage:
- Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin risked national security ‘unnecessarily,’ Inspector General says (newsbreak.com)
Pentagon Chief Faulted for Secrecy over Medical Procedure
A Pentagon watchdog has released a critical report on Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s handling of his hospitalization in early 2024. The report found that Austin’s failure to inform the White House and his senior staff about his condition “unnecessarily” put national security at risk.
Austin underwent prostate cancer surgery and was under general anesthesia, but he kept the information secret from President Biden and Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks. The report states that Austin “specifically told” a junior staff member not to discuss his medical condition with anyone else.
Pentagon Inspector General Robert Storch warned that Austin’s actions jeopardized the command and control of critical national security operations. While there was no gap in authority when Austin transferred power to Hicks, the report highlights the potential risks.
The Pentagon has taken steps to address the concerns raised by the report, but more action is needed. Austin has agreed to implement 20 changes recommended by the inspector general.
The report reveals that Austin was “deadly serious” about keeping his medical matters private. He instructed his staff to avoid any inquiries about his health. The watchdog found that Austin’s desire for privacy influenced his decisions throughout the hospitalization.