Posted 1/8/2024, 7:19:00 PM
Criticism Grows Over Defense Chief's Hospitalization Secrecy
- Criticism growing over lack of transparency around Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's recent hospitalization and health issues
- Austin's deputy, Kathleen Hicks, was not informed of his ICU stay until 4 days after he entered hospital
- Questions around failure to promptly notify White House, President Biden, and others in chain of command
- Austin has resumed full duties but believed to still be hospitalized; no disclosure on discharge
- Bipartisan calls for Austin to provide more details on health and decision-making process around hospitalization