The Defense Department published an unclassified summary of an internal review regarding the decision to keep Secretary Lloyd Austin’s hospitalization secret.
The review found that Austin’s staff followed standard procedure during his hospitalization, but there were challenges due to medical privacy laws and the secretary’s condition.
“Their efforts, while respecting the Secretary’s privacy, combined with the uncertainty of a medical situation and its bearing on how best to execute a [transfer of authority] in the absence of an established methodology for making such an unplanned decision, may have contributed to the lack of comprehensive information sharing about the situation,” the summary stated.
“Unsurprisingly, the review of Sec Austin’s actions, conducted by his own subordinates & subject to his approval, HELD NO ONE ACCOUNTABLE. This is why we are conducting our own investigation. We will seek answers at our hearing w/ Sec Austin on Thursday.” @RepMikeRogersAL
— Armed Services GOP (@HASCRepublicans) February 26, 2024
Recommendations were made to improve the process for transferring authority.
While “the process for making decisions to transfer the Secretary’s authority could and should be improved, as further explained in the recommendations approved by the Secretary, nothing examined during this review demonstrated any indication of ill intent or an attempt to obfuscate,” the summary said.
President Biden criticized Austin for not notifying him about his cancer diagnosis.
Austin took responsibility for the lapse in judgment and apologized.
“I want to be crystal clear: We did not handle this right,” Austin said. “I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis. I should have also told my team and the American public, and I take full responsibility. I apologize to my teammates and to the American people.”
Austin was hospitalized again in February but notified the White House and Congress promptly.
Rep. Mike Rogers expressed doubt about the review’s conclusions, prompting the House Armed Services Committee to conduct its own investigation.
“Unsurprisingly, the review of Sec Austin’s actions, conducted by his own subordinates & subject to his approval, HELD NO ONE ACCOUNTABLE,” Rogers said. “This is why we are conducting our own investigation.”
Austin is expected to testify before the committee on Thursday.
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