(PatriotSpotlight.org) – US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s recent treatment for cancer has reinvigorated questions over his ability to function in his high-pressure role. On Sunday afternoon at the Pentagon, further speculation erupted as they announced that he had been admitted to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center due to symptoms which suggested an “emergent bladder issue,” that required urgent medical attention.
Although early reports appeared to hint that Secretary Austin would continue to carry out his responsibilities while in hospital, the Pentagon later stated that he had temporarily delegated his duties to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks. He had been scheduled to fly to Brussels. During the trip, which would have been his first overseas travel since his hospitalization around New Year, he was set to convene the Ukraine Defense Contact Group and take part in a NATO defense ministers’ meeting. It is currently unclear if Hicks will take on these duties while her boss remains incapacitated.
Austin’s latest hospital visit comes on the back of a slew of recent health issues. In December, the top official secretly received surgery for prostate cancer but subsequently battled complications which included a urinary tract infection and intestinal problems. He first entered hospital over the issues on January 1st 2024, transferring his authority to his deputy while he received treatment.
Criticism has been directed at Austin over his handling of his serious health concerns, especially regarding the lack of transparency surrounding his cancer diagnosis, and first stint in hospital. Austin has already publicly admitted that he had mishandled the issue and said he ought to have announced his cancer diagnosis both to President Biden and the American public sooner.
Austin is a retired four-star general and the first-ever African-American secretary of defense. Although the Secretary previously claimed that “privacy” concerns were behind his reluctance to be open about his health struggles, Austin expressed regret for not promptly informing the administration and directly apologized to President Biden.
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