Defense Secretary Austin Faces Scrutiny For Keeping Prostate Surgery Private
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Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin failed to inform President Biden that he required surgery and hospitalization for prostate cancer complications, drawing scrutiny.
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Austin is an extremely private person who has avoided attention in his military career, but his position demands public scrutiny.
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Austin's reticence reflects a lifetime of challenges as a Black man succeeding in the military by not showcasing himself.
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Keeping his illness quiet threw red meat to Republican critics - calls for impeachment, an inspector general investigation, and questions about the chain of command.
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Despite disappointment that Austin reinforced notions that prostate cancer is shameful, supporters say he should be left alone to recover privately from a personal health matter.