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Pentagon Watchdog Report Criticizes Defense Secretary Austin's Secret Hospitalization for Increasing National Security Risks

Jan 15, 2025, 03:36 PM

A Pentagon watchdog report has criticized U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for his handling of a secret hospitalization in January 2024, stating that it unnecessarily increased national security risks. The report, released on Wednesday, revealed that Austin received medications that could have affected his cognitive functions while he was still in command. The investigation found that Austin's desire for privacy led to a delay in notifying key figures, including the White House and Congress, about his hospitalization. The report also noted that Austin did not transfer his authorities during two medical procedures on January 6 and 8, 2024, despite being advised not to engage in activities requiring unimpaired mental ability. Furthermore, the transfer of his authorities to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks during another hospitalization on February 11, 2024, was delayed by several hours. The hospitalization was related to complications from a prostate cancer surgery in December 2023. Austin transferred certain authorities to Hicks for 36 hours during his initial surgery, and during a subsequent hospitalization, he was moved to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU). Additionally, a 911 call made during the January hospitalization requested that the ambulance not use lights and sirens to maintain secrecy. The Pentagon's inspector general made 20 recommendations to improve future processes, emphasizing the need for timely notifications and effective transfer of authority to ensure national security.