Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin remains in the hospital in good condition, with no specific date set for his discharge, according to a recent statement from Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder. Austin, who is 70 years old, was hospitalized on January 1 due to complications arising from prostate surgery.
The circumstances surrounding Austin’s hospitalization and the subsequent delay in notification, including to the White House, have led to an internal investigation by the Department of Defense’s watchdog. This situation has also attracted criticism from lawmakers.
President Joe Biden acknowledged the delay in communication as a lapse in judgment but affirmed his continued confidence in Secretary Austin. Despite his hospitalization, Austin has been in regular contact with his senior staff and is actively overseeing the Department of Defense’s operations globally.
Austin’s hospitalization comes at a critical time of heightened global conflict. This includes the US’s involvement in the Middle East, following the attack on Israel by Hamas militants on October 7 and Israel’s military response in the Gaza Strip. In addition, the US and UK conducted approximately 70 airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen to counter the group’s shipping attacks in the Red Sea. A subsequent US strike targeted a Houthi radar site in Yemen.
Pentagon officials have stated that Secretary Austin is effectively performing his duties from the Walter Reed military hospital outside Washington, D.C., and his medical prognosis is positive. This assurance comes amidst concerns about the impact of his hospitalization on the management of ongoing military engagements and international conflicts.
