Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin had a “scheduled, elective, and minimally invasive” nonsurgical process Friday night at Walter Reed Medical Middle as a follow-up for a bladder concern he had earlier this yr, the Pentagon stated in a launch.
The process was unrelated to Austin’s most cancers prognosis.
“Throughout that interval [Friday], Deputy Secretary of Protection Kathleen Hicks assumed the capabilities and duties of the Secretary of Protection and served because the Performing Secretary of Protection. Secretary Austin subsequently resumed his capabilities and duties because the Secretary of Protection at 8:25 p.m. ET and has returned house,” Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a launch Friday evening.
The Pentagon stated the White Home and Congress had been notified, and that Austin can be quickly unable to carry out his duties through the process.
LLOYD AUSTIN GRILLED ABOUT LACK OF TRANSPARENCY
Austin was recognized with prostate most cancers and hospitalized in December and January, present process two surgical procedures, however did not inform the White Home for a number of days on the time. It took even longer for the general public to search out out.
The state of affairs led to criticism of the Pentagon’s lack of transparency and the White Home established a brand new set of pointers for when Cupboard heads are unable to do their job and need to delegate authority on the finish of January.
Some Republicans, together with former President Trump, had referred to as on Austin to resign.
Trump stated on Fact Social in January that the protection secretary, “ought to be fired instantly for improper skilled conduct and dereliction of obligation. He has been lacking for one week, and no one, together with his boss, Crooked Joe Biden, had a clue as to the place he was or may be.”
The White Home stated that Austin maintained Biden’s “full belief,” and in February the protection secretary apologized for his lack of transparency.
“I need to be crystal clear: We didn’t deal with this proper,” he stated on the time. “And I didn’t deal with this proper. I ought to have instructed the president about my most cancers prognosis. I ought to have additionally instructed my staff and the American public, and I take full accountability. I apologize to my teammates and to the American folks.”
Austin was hospitalized once more on Feb. 11 for a bladder concern weeks after he had returned to work following his hospitalizations for most cancers remedy.
The Pentagon added on Friday: “As highlighted in a Feb. 13 DoD information launch, the Secretary’s bladder concern will not be associated to his most cancers prognosis and has had no impact on his wonderful most cancers prognosis. White Home and congressional notifications have occurred.”
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An replace might be given following the process, the assertion stated.
