In a surprising turn of events, President Joe Biden was not informed about the hospitalization of U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin until last Thursday, despite Austin’s month-long battle with prostate cancer. The news broke on Tuesday when the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center revealed that Austin had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in early December and had undergone a prostatectomy on December 22.
According to the hospital, Austin’s surgery went smoothly, and his recovery has been deemed “excellent” due to the early detection of the cancer. However, during his hospitalization, Austin transferred his authority to Deputy Secretary Kathleen Hicks without informing the White House. This revelation has raised concerns about transparency and proper protocol within the Defense Department.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby admitted that the delay in informing President Biden about Austin’s hospitalization was “not optimal.” He further expressed that the situation should not have unfolded without the commander-in-chief, the national security adviser, and other leaders at the Department of Defense being aware. In response, the White House has launched a review of cabinet protocols to ensure better communication and transparency in the future.
White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients released a memo addressing the issue and requested that all cabinet agencies submit their existing protocols for delegating authority for review. The memo also directs cabinet agencies to establish clear procedures in the event of a delegation of authority. The Pentagon has also initiated its own internal review to prevent a similar lapse in notification in the future.
The consequences of this undisclosed hospitalization on Austin’s job, travel, and public engagements remain uncertain. However, the Pentagon has broadened the circle of leaders who will receive notification of any future delegation of authorities by the defense secretary. This expanded group will include officials such as the general counsel of the Pentagon, the chair and vice chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Combatant Commanders, service secretaries, service chiefs of staff, the White House Situation Room, and the senior staff of the secretary and deputy secretary of defense.
The incident has sparked discussions about the need for improved communication and transparency within the U.S. government. It serves as a reminder that proper protocols and timely notifications are crucial to ensure effective leadership and decision-making. Both the White House and the Pentagon have acknowledged the need to learn from this situation and prevent its recurrence.
In conclusion, President Biden’s lack of knowledge regarding Defense Secretary Austin’s secret hospitalization for prostate cancer has raised concerns about transparency and communication within the government. The incident has prompted the White House and the Pentagon to initiate reviews of their protocols for delegating authority and notification. Moving forward, it is essential that the U.S. government implements measures to prevent such lapses and uphold transparency in the interest of effective leadership.
