Biden Criticizes Austin's Failure to Inform Him of Hospitalization Despite Focus on Secretary's Role in Yemen Strike
President Biden criticizes Defense Secretary Austin for not informing him of his hospitalization, citing a lapse in judgment However, the White House emphasizes that Austin remains actively involved in military decision-making despite working from the hospital
While visiting a coffee shop in the Allentown, Pennsylvania area, President Joe Biden commented that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made a mistake by not informing him of his hospitalization. However, White House officials emphasized that Austin is still actively involved in military decision making despite his health issues.
"Yes," Biden replied, confirming his confidence in Austin. White House officials noted that Austin had been actively engaged in the US airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen during his second week in the hospital.
Austin's involvement in the US airstrikes was described as "seamless" by National Security Council spokesman John Kirby. Despite working from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Kirby stated that Austin's participation was no different than on any other day, as he was still briefing the president on options and participating in discussions. Kirby made these comments during a news briefing aboard Air Force One.
Kirby noted that Austin was actively involved, as he typically is in any situation. According to a senior administration official who has had multiple conversations with Austin, the defense secretary has been effectively managing all matters, despite facing criticism regarding the initial lack of transparency about his health.
Defense officials informed CNN that Austin, who is currently hospitalized for complications related to his prostate cancer treatment, has been provided with all necessary resources to carry out his responsibilities. Despite being in the hospital, Austin was able to monitor the strikes in Yemen on Thursday in real-time, utilizing a comprehensive secure communications set-up, according to an official.
The strikes in Yemen, led by the US and UK on Thursday, occurred at a time when both Austin and President Biden are facing scrutiny regarding transparency, the authority of Biden over his Cabinet officials, and the effectiveness of the military power transition process and decision-making following the delayed disclosure of Austins prostate cancer diagnosis.
Austin has been in the hospital for over 11 days because of treatment complications. The fallout from this hospitalization has led to three reviews being conducted by the White House, the Pentagon, and the Pentagon's inspector general to assess the notification process and consider potential policy changes. Additionally, Capitol Hill is now closely scrutinizing the situation.
Dr. Oliver Sartor, the chief of the Genitourinary Cancer Disease Group at the Mayo Clinic, mentioned that Austin's hospitalization has been unusually long. He expressed uncertainty about the severity of the complications Austin is facing, as they seem to be quite severe given the duration of the hospitalization. The cancer was identified during a screening in early December, according to statements from the Pentagon, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center officials, and the White House. However, an exact date has not been provided by officials.
Austin underwent an elective medical procedure on December 22 and was discharged from Walter Reed on December 23. On New Year's Day, he joined a call with Biden and other administration officials. However, on the same day, it's uncertain whether before or after the call, he was readmitted to Walter Reed due to severe pain.
The following day, he was moved to the intensive care unit at the hospital. On that very day, high-ranking defense officials, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Austin's military advisor, and Austin's chief of staff, were informed of his hospitalization, and Austin assigned some of his responsibilities to his deputy.
It wasn't until January 4th that Biden was informed of Austin's hospitalization, and it took another two days. The Pentagon released a public statement the day after, announcing Austin's hospitalization.
On Saturday, Austin released his initial public statement after his hospitalization, acknowledging that he "could have done a better job in keeping the public properly informed." He was moved out of the ICU on Monday without the public being informed about the reason for his hospitalization, a fact that was also unknown to the president, despite their communication over the weekend.
Biden was made aware about Austins cancer diagnosis on Tuesday morning, and the rest of the world learned about it later that afternoon.
Working from the hospital amid military strikes
Austin is currently in the hospital and is in good condition. According to Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, he has resumed all of his duties. Ryder shared on "CNN This Morning" that Austin authorized Central Command to carry out the strikes and then continued to oversee them, discussing the initial assessment with President Biden's national security adviser Jake Sullivan and other high-ranking military officials over the phone.
"He's been consistently involved," Ryder stated.
After a series of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea on Tuesday, another senior administration official reported that Biden called together his national security team to consider military responses. It was towards the end of this meeting that Biden explicitly directed Austin to conduct the airstrikes.
Senior White House officials urged the Pentagon to issue a statement regarding Austin's hospitalization after being informed of his condition last week, according to two administration officials who spoke to CNN. Chief of staff Jeff Zients and national security advisor Jake Sullivan contacted Austin's chief of staff, Kelly Magsamen, on Thursday to request the prompt release of a public disclosure statement, the officials reported.
In response to reports of White House pressure, the Pentagon stated that department officials had begun drafting the public statement as a natural progression, contradicting claims of external influence. Politico was the first outlet to report on the White House's efforts to prompt a statement.
Questions remain over Austins hospitalization
There are still several important questions that need to be addressed, such as why Biden did not find out about Austin's cancer diagnosis until about a month after it was made, despite speaking with the president last weekend after news of his hospitalization broke. Additionally, it is unclear why members of Austin's inner circle were not informed about the complications until a day after he was hospitalized. Despite being a very private individual, the defense secretary has since decided to release more details about his health.
Austins doctors have announced that he was readmitted to the hospital on New Years Day due to complications from a recent surgery to treat prostate cancer. These complications included a urinary tract infection and fluid buildup in his abdomen, which affected the function of his small intestines. In addition, he experienced severe pain in his abdomen, hips, and legs. "It was unclear to me what the specific complication was," Sartor commented.
"Fluid is a vague term due to the variety of bodily fluids," Sartor explained, mentioning that in that area of the body it could have been urine, blood, or fluid from the bowel.
Additional experts suggested that due to Austin's high-ranking position, his doctors may be taking extra precautions, which could account for his prolonged hospital stay.
Dr. Otis Brawley, an oncologist at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, expressed the need for extreme caution when dealing with well-known individuals facing medical issues. He mentioned that if he were in a similar position as the individual in question, he would likely already be at home. Brawley emphasized the careful approach required when providing care to senators and Supreme Court justices.
Members of Congress want accountability
Calls for accountability over the lack of transparency have been steadily rolling in from members of Congress.
Sen. Roger Wicker, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, stated on Thursday, "We are grateful that no serious national security incidents occurred during the Secretary's absence, but it is imperative that we take this as an opportunity to ensure it never happens again." Other lawmakers also expressed relief that there were no major national security emergencies during Secretary Austin's treatment before his hospitalization was disclosed.
"Command is at stake here, and it's a serious matter," cautioned Sen. Deb Fischer, a Nebraska Republican, on Thursday, emphasizing that the breach in protocol has hurt the US's ability to demonstrate strength on the global stage. "Just look at the global situation - it's so critical that someone is unreachable, and the president isn't even aware that the secretary of defense is unreachable."
One Democrat went as far as to demand Austin's resignation. Rep. Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania stated that he "has lost confidence in Secretary Lloyd Austin's leadership of the Defense Department due to the lack of transparency."
The security of Austin's job seems to be secure, as National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stated that there are no plans for Secretary Austin to be removed from his position, despite acknowledging significant shortcomings in his failure to communicate about his condition to the public, members of Congress, and the president.
"It is not optimal for a situation like this to go as long as it did without the commander in chief knowing about it," he said on Tuesday.
