Defense Department Under Fire for Ignoring Chain of Command

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(PatriotPostNews.com) – Following the hospitalization of Lloyd Austin, the Secretary of the United States Department of Defense, the federal agency is taking backlash from members of the government and media for its secrecy regarding the situation.

Members of the media and Democratic party have criticized the Pentagon for a lack of transparency regarding the health of the Defense Secretary and his ability to perform his duties, as noted by Fox News. Austin was hospitalized for several days before any public statement was released. He has since resumed his duties.

CNN reporter Oren Liebermann posted on X that the Pentagon’s handling of the situation was “unacceptable,” citing the “crucial position” he holds as it relates to the “national security establishment.” He also pointed out that the Biden administration is one that “talked a big game” when it comes to transparency but has now “failed this test.”

Liebermann noted that the lack of disclosure to the public about the country’s top security official comes amid “critical global [and] national security issues.”

Democrat representatives Adam Smith of Washington as well as Nancy Pelosi of California and Republican representative Mike Rogers of Alabama shared similar sentiments regarding the Pentagon’s handling of the situation.

Austin was admitted to the Walter Reed Medical Center on January 1, but the Pentagon made the announcement via its press secretary, Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, on January 5. The White House was reportedly not informed of the situation until the day before the public was told.

According to media reports in the aftermath of the situation, Austin was diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer in December 2023, at which time he underwent an elective procedure for treatment. The Defense Secretary was in the intensive care unit (ICU) until January 8, at which time he was removed to recover elsewhere in the hospital.

It was not until January 9—more than a week after Austin was initially hospitalized—that the Pentagon issued a statement disclosing that the official was dealing with complications after a prostatectomy was given “to treat and cure prostate cancer.” On the same day, President Joe Biden was first informed of Austin’s cancer diagnosis.