US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin underwent a medical procedure, leading to a temporary transfer of power to his deputy, as confirmed by the Pentagon.
The procedure, described as elective and non-surgical, is unrelated to his prostate cancer diagnosis disclosed late last year.
Criticism ensued over his failure to disclose prior hospital stays in December and January.
Pentagon press secretary Maj Gen Pat Ryder clarified that the procedure was “successful, elective, and minimally invasive.”
Mr. Lloyd Austin, 70, continues to manage bladder issues from his cancer treatment, with the recent procedure posing no threat to his favorable cancer prognosis, Maj Gen Ryder assured.
During his treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks briefly assumed Mr. Lloyd Austin’s duties. The White House and Congress were duly informed of the temporary transfer of powers.
Previous scrutiny arose when it took three days to inform the President about Mr. Lloyd Austin’s hospitalization, prompting concerns about transparency and national security.
The Defense Secretary’s role, pivotal in the military’s chain of command, led to investigations and congressional testimony acknowledging the failure to promptly disclose his cancer diagnosis. Mr. Lloyd Austin took responsibility for the lapse, acknowledging the need for swifter communication with stakeholders.
