(PatriotSpotlight.org) – The American Attorney General is scheduled for minor back surgery this week. Merrick Garland, who was nominated to serve in the top legal role by President Joe Biden in 2021, will transfer his official duties to Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco while he undergoes the operation this coming weekend.
The Justice Department said on Monday that the 71-year-old is booked in for a “minimally invasive” surgery. The interlaminar decompression procedure aims to reduce stenosis in Garland’s back, which causes pain in the lower spine.
Interlaminar decompression surgery is deployed to alleviate symptoms of spinal conditions, especially spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis refers to the narrowing of spaces in the spinal cord which may increase pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, causing pain and discomfort. It is usual for patients to be advised to walk and be mobile following Interlaminar decompression surgery.
Most patients are released from hospital within 1-4 days of the operation, but will not achieve pre-surgery mobility and function until around 4 to 6 weeks have passed.
Monaco will oversee Garland’s official responsibilities during the approximately 90 minutes he is required to undergo general anesthetic for the procedure.
Xochitl Hinojosa, director of public affairs at the Justice Department, told NBC News on Tuesday that Garland expected to return home on the same day of the procedure and resume work from Monday, Feb. 5.
It is currently unknown whether Monaco’s role will extend beyond this time period, should it be required. It comes on the heels of backlash against Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for failing to disclose his hospitalization following prostate cancer treatment in a timely manner.
The scandal arose after the 70-year-old secretly underwent prostate cancer surgery on December 22. On New Year’s Day 2024, Austin was admitted to hospital in Maryland following complications related to the surgery. The Pentagon subsequently announced that Austin has not made the White House or his Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks aware of the ongoing processes.
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