4/10/2024 0 Comments Html code for iframesWe’re at a time with a lot of turmoil internationally,” Lankford said. “Apparently, the National Security Council didn’t know it, the White House didn’t know it, Congress didn’t know it. Lankford went on to say the issue was not just that Austin was absent from his position, but that key branches of government weren’t aware. “It’s pretty shocking on this because when you’re the secretary of defense, you need to make everyone aware that you’re actually going out of pocket,” Lankford said on “Fox News Sunday.” James Lankford of Oklahoma called the lack of disclosure over Austin’s hospitalization “shocking.” Why was the notification process under 5 U.S.C. 3349 not followed and who made the determination not to follow it?”ĥ U.S.C. 3349 is the US code for reporting vacancies in an office, which applies to the head of each executive agency. He added, “Worryingly, we now have more questions than answers. Wicker said the lack of transparency regarding Austin’s hospitalization “erodes trust in the Biden Administration.” That is unacceptable,” the Mississippi Republican said. However, the fact remains that the Department of Defense deliberately withheld the Secretary of Defense’s medical condition for days. “I am glad to hear Secretary Austin is in improved condition and I wish him a speedy recovery. Roger Wicker, the highest-ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed similar sentiments in a statement released Saturday. Pence said that he wishes Austin well but said the lack of transparency was “totally unacceptable.” REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura Violeta Santos Moura/Reutersĭeputy Defense Secretary was not told Austin has been hospitalized when she assumed his duties Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin looks on during a joint press conference with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant at Israel's Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv, Israel December 18, 2023. “I believe the American people have the right to know about his medical condition, about the reasons for it,” Pence told CNN’s Jake Tapper on “State of the Union,” characterizing Austin’s actions as a “dereliction of duty.” Republicans, including former Vice President Mike Pence, had harsh words for Austin. “I talked to Lloyd last weekend before this incident and I know that he’s put out a statement addressing it,” Blinken said. Hicks, who began assuming some of Austin’s responsibilities on January 2, did not know that it was because Austin was hospitalized, two defense officials told CNN. Hicks was on vacation in Puerto Rico at the time and was not informed of Austin’s hospitalization until the afternoon of January 4, the officials said.īlinken, in response to a reporter’s question at a news conference in Qatar on Sunday, said he “wasn’t aware” of Austin’s medical issue at the time. “He was placed in the hospital’s intensive care unit to ensure immediate access to due to his medical needs, but then remained in that location in part due to hospital space considerations and privacy,” Ryder said. He returned home the following day, but on the evening of January 1 he “began experiencing severe pain” and was transported to Walter Reed via ambulance. The Pentagon does not yet know when he will be released, Ryder said.Īustin was hospitalized following an elective medical procedure he had on December 22, while he was on leave, Ryder said. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, said in a statement on Sunday. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin faced sharp criticism on Sunday as details emerged about the degree to which senior officials, including President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, were left in the dark about Austin’s multiday hospital stay.Īustin was admitted to the hospital on New Year’s Day due to complications from an elective surgery, but Biden was not informed that his civilian leader of the military was hospitalized until January 4, when national security adviser Jake Sullivan told him, according to a source familiar with the matter.Īustin remains hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center “but is recovering well and in good spirits,” Maj.
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