Defense Secretary Hospitalized, Questions Raised About Delayed Notification
• Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was hospitalized for 2 weeks after prostate cancer surgery complications • Austin failed to promptly inform the White House and his Pentagon subordinates of his hospitalization • Deputy Secretary Kathleen Hicks was not made aware she was assuming Austin's authorities for 2 days • Austin kept the full details of his hospitalization quiet until over a week after it happened • Despite backlash over the secrecy, President Biden expressed confidence in Austin to remain as Defense Secretary