January 8th 2024.
On January 1, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was admitted to the Walter Reed Medical Center for complications from an elective medical procedure. Despite this, the Pentagon waited three days to inform the White House National Security Council of Austin's condition. Austin recognized his fault in the matter and committed to doing better, but also stated that he has the right to be private about his medical procedures.
In Austin's absence, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks took over his responsibilities while she was on vacation in Puerto Rico. Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder stated that Hicks was prepared to act for and exercise the powers of the Secretary if needed. No further details were given about Austin's condition or his procedure.
The hospitalization of Secretary Austin occurred during a fraught period in U.S. foreign policy. A group of Iranian-backed armed forces had been carrying out attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria in retaliation for the U.S. support of Israel's bombing campaign in Gaza. This week, the U.S. engaged in a targeted strike against an Iranian-backed militia leader in Baghdad, sparking outrage from Iraq which claimed the attack was a violation of an agreement it has with the United States.
The Pentagon is yet to announce a release date for Secretary Austin. In the meantime, Secretary Austin is still exercising his duties from the hospital, with Deputy Secretary Hicks continuing to monitor day-to-day operations. Austin is expected to make an unexpected visit to Kyiv in the coming week to show continued support of Ukraine.
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