Pentagon Launches Investigation into Defense Secretary’s Hospitalization
In a move that has sparked bipartisan scrutiny and criticism, the Pentagon has ordered an investigation into Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s recent hospitalization and the delayed notification of senior leaders. Austin’s chief of staff, Kelly Magsamen, has initiated a 30-day review to shed light on the secrecy surrounding Austin’s illness and the slow release of information.
The saga began last Friday when the Pentagon announced that Austin had been hospitalized since January 1. However, it wasn’t until then that information about his hospitalization began to trickle out. Magsamen, who was unaware of Austin’s condition due to her own illness, has cited her absence as a reason for the delayed notification to the White House.
What makes the situation more perplexing is that several officials within the Pentagon, including public affairs staff, were aware of Austin’s hospitalization but failed to pass along the information, a breach in protocol. As a result, Magsamen has mandated immediate notice of authority transfers to senior officials whenever Austin is hospitalized or out of range of communications.
Furthermore, it has been revealed that Austin’s deputy, Kathleen Hicks, assumed some of his authorities on January 2 but was not informed of his intensive care until two days later. This lack of transparency and communication raises concerns about the effectiveness of the Pentagon’s chain of command.
The investigation aims to establish a timeline of events and ensure that proper and timely notification is given to the President, White House, Congress, and the public in similar circumstances in the future. Pentagon press secretary Pat Ryder has acknowledged that he knew about Austin’s hospitalization on January 2 and should have informed the public sooner, indicating a failure in communication within the Department of Defense.
Interestingly, the Marine Corps has been praised for providing detailed information about the surgery undergone by Gen. Eric Smith, in stark contrast to the Pentagon’s refusal to disclose details about Austin’s procedure and complications. This discrepancy in transparency has led to calls from the House Armed Services Committee for Austin to disclose more about his health and the reasons behind the delayed notification to the White House and Congress.
As the investigation progresses, it is expected that more clarity will be shed on this secretive ordeal. The public, as well as government officials, are eagerly awaiting answers about Austin’s health and the lapses in communication within the defense department.
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