Pentagon Under Fire for Delayed Notification of Austin Hospitalization
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Defense Secretary Austin faced hospitalization since Jan 1 for an elective medical procedure, but the Pentagon did not notify the White House for 3 days. Neither Austin nor the Pentagon have provided details.
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The lack of transparency and unanswered questions prompted immediate backlash from lawmakers like Sen. Tom Cotton, who demanded that Austin explain the delay in notifying the President.
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Sen. Roger Wicker alleged the Defense Department "deliberately withheld" information about Austin's hospitalization, calling it "unacceptable."
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Former VP Mike Pence said the handling amounts to a "dereliction of duty" given Austin's role in the nuclear chain of command.
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Questions emerged around HIPAA laws and Austin's right to medical privacy, though some urged the administration to be more transparent given Austin's leadership role.