Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s undisclosed hospitalization has sparked controversy and criticism, leaving the United States in a weaker political and military position on the global stage. The incident, which was not made public for several days, has raised questions about transparency and trust in the Biden administration.
Robert Greenway, director of the Heritage Foundation’s Allison Center for National Security, expressed his concern, stating that he could not recall a historic precedent for such a situation. The lack of information surrounding Austin’s hospitalization has further eroded trust in the current administration. Former President Donald Trump has called for Austin’s immediate dismissal, citing improper professional conduct and dereliction of duty.
Austin, 70, underwent an elective medical procedure on December 22 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Shortly after, he experienced severe pain and was readmitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit on January 1. The details of the procedure have not been disclosed. While Austin has resumed his duties and has been transferred out of the ICU, he remains at Walter Reed.
The media was only made aware of Austin’s hospitalization on Friday, and reports quickly surfaced that top officials, including President Biden and the National Security Council, were kept in the dark about the situation. The delayed notification was attributed to Austin’s chief of staff being ill with the flu.
The lack of transparency surrounding Austin’s hospitalization has raised concerns about the U.S.’s international standing. Greenway warned that adversaries such as Putin, Xi, and Khamenei, along with militant group Hezbollah, are likely viewing this situation as an opportunity to exploit perceived weakness on the part of the United States. This could potentially lead to increased international aggression.
Greenway also criticized the policies, personnel, and practices within the Department of Defense, suggesting that the lack of clarity and leadership could be contributing to the current state of affairs. He compared the situation to the criticisms faced by Senator Tommy Tuberville last year, highlighting the potential damage to military readiness caused by removing the secretary of defense from duty for an extended period.
Despite calls for Austin’s resignation, the White House has stated that there are no plans to replace him. President Biden continues to express full trust and confidence in the secretary. However, this is not the first time Austin has faced calls to step down. The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the subsequent chaos and loss of life have been major points of contention, with critics arguing that it has weakened the country’s position and emboldened adversaries like Russia in their actions in Ukraine.
Greenway suggested that the White House’s decision to stand by Austin may be due to a lack of suitable alternatives for the position. The administration has struggled to confirm key personnel through the Senate, making it difficult to find a replacement.
Overall, Austin’s undisclosed hospitalization has raised concerns about transparency and trust in the Biden administration. The incident has left the United States in a weaker position internationally, with adversaries potentially viewing this as an opportunity to exploit perceived weakness. Calls for Austin’s resignation and criticism of the administration’s handling of various issues continue to be voiced, raising questions about the future of U.S. defense policy.
