Posted 1/7/2024, 5:49:16 PM
Austin Transfers Powers to Uninformed Deputy Hicks While Hospitalized
- Defense Secretary Austin passed authority to Deputy Hicks while hospitalized without informing her of his condition
- On Jan. 2, Austin transferred authorities to Hicks while he was admitted to the hospital
- Hicks was unaware Austin had been hospitalized until Jan. 4, while she was on vacation in Puerto Rico
- Hicks made routine Defense Department decisions and was authorized to support President Biden per law
- A pre-approved drone strike killing an Iranian militia leader occurred Jan. 4; Austin was tracking it from his hospital room