Posted 1/5/2024, 11:21:00 PM
Defense Secretary Austin Hospitalized, Recovering After Medical Procedure
- Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was admitted to Walter Reed hospital on New Year's Day for complications from an elective medical procedure
- The Pentagon did not announce Austin's hospitalization for 4 days
- Austin is recovering well and is expected to resume full duties later on Friday
- Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks was prepared to act on Austin's behalf if required
- The text discusses precedents for announcing hospitalizations of senior government officials like the President and senior military officers