Why was Defense Secretary Austin’s hospital stay kept secret for days?
WASHINGTON — Members of Congress and Pentagon leaders were unaware for days that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had been hospitalized since Monday, U.S. officials said Saturday, as questions swirled about his condition and the secrecy surrounding it.
And it remained unclear when the White House and other key U.S. officials were told about his stay at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.
The Pentagon’s failure to disclose Mr. Austin’s hospitalization for days reflects a stunning lack of transparency about his illness, how serious it was and when he may be released. Such secrecy, at a time when the United States is juggling myriad national security crises, runs counter to normal practice with the president and other senior U.S. officials and Cabinet members.
Mr. Austin, 70, remained hospitalized due to complications following a minor elective medical procedure, his press secretary said, as it became clear how closely the Pentagon held information about his stay at Walter Reed.
Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said the White House and the Joint Chiefs of Staff were notified about Mr. Austin’s hospitalization, but he would not say when that happened.
A number of U.S. officials said Saturday that many of the most senior Pentagon service leaders were unaware until Friday that Mr. Austin was in the hospital. Officials said President Joe Biden and other senior White House staff were told, but the officials would not specify when. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations.
Maj. Gen. Ryder said Saturday that Mr. Austin is recovering well and resumed his full duties Friday evening from his hospital bed. Asked why the hospital stay was kept secret for so long, Maj. Gen. Ryder said on Friday that it was an “evolving situation,” and that due to privacy and medical issues, the Pentagon did not make Mr. Austin’s absence public. Maj. Gen. Ryder declined to provide any other details about Mr. Austin’s medical procedure or health.