Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has caused a stir after President Joe Biden, the White House and the National Security Council were unaware that he had been hospitalized ‘for days.’ “Someone’s head has to roll,” a Defense Department official told Politico on Sunday.
Austin has taken responsibility for not being more transparent after the public was not notified until Friday evening that he had been hospitalized on Monday. for complications from an elective procedure. Some officials have speculated that someone will lose their job after the incident after top U.S. officials were initially informed he was working from home and they reportedly were not aware of his condition until Thursday, per CNN.
A U.S. Department of Defense spokesperson confirmed Saturday that Austin remains hospitalized but had resumed his duties on Friday night. During part of his hospitalization, Austin was treated at Walter Reed’s intensive care unit, according to the official.
abc News reported that a DOD spokesperson said Friday it was unnecessary for Austin to delegate his authorities since Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks — who has made routine decisions on his behalf — was automatically tasked with that responsibility. However, Hicks was in Puerto Rico on a previously scheduled vacation at the time.
