The Pentagon kept the senior officials in the White House’s National Security Council uninformed about the hospitalization of the head of the American defense department, Lloyd Austin, for several days. This revelation, reported by Politico, came as a shock to top-ranking US officials, including the national security advisor to the President of the United States, Jake Sullivan, who were unaware of Austin’s complications following a medical procedure.
According to Politico, the news reached the US Congress about the illness of the country’s defense minister just 15 minutes before the Pentagon released a public press release. This lack of communication between the Pentagon and the White House has raised concerns and questions about the transparency and coordination within the US government.
On January 1st, Lloyd Austin was hospitalized with complications following a planned medical procedure. However, the Pentagon assures that the defense secretary is recovering rapidly and will be ready to return to work in full capacity on January 6th. The deputy defense secretary is prepared to step in if needed. The Pentagon, however, has declined to provide details on whether Austin was unconscious during his hospitalization or in critical condition.
Previously, Austin declared that the United States would not allow Russia to triumph in Ukraine. This statement adds context to the situation, highlighting the importance of Austin’s role in the ongoing tensions between the US and Russia.
The lack of transparency and delayed communication regarding the hospitalization of such a high-ranking official raises concerns about the efficiency and coordination within the US government. This incident serves as a reminder of the need for open and timely communication between different branches of the government to ensure effective decision-making and governance.
