Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III will be undergoing a nonsurgical procedure on Friday night to address a bladder issue and will temporarily hand over his duties to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks during his hospitalization. This procedure is scheduled, elective, and minimally invasive and will take place at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. This is the latest in a series of medical procedures for Mr. Austin in recent months, with his previous secrecy regarding his health drawing scrutiny.
In early February, Mr. Austin and Ms. Hicks exchanged roles temporarily when Mr. Austin underwent another nonsurgical procedure under general anesthesia to address a bladder issue. Prior to this, on December 22, Mr. Austin had undergone a prostatectomy to treat prostate cancer, leading to complications and criticism for not immediately disclosing his illness. Subsequently, he was hospitalized for two weeks in January and then readmitted in February for continuing bladder problems, which were not related to his earlier cancer diagnosis.
Despite his health issues, Mr. Austin has returned to his duties at the Pentagon and has resumed traveling overseas. Earlier on Friday, he gave a commencement address at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., and later met with Kenya’s president, William Ruto, at the Pentagon. The Pentagon has confirmed that Mr. Austin will begin a trip next week to Singapore, Cambodia, and France, indicating that he is actively continuing his responsibilities while managing his health.
Mr. Austin’s case has raised questions about transparency and communication within the Pentagon, as his initial secrecy surrounding his procedures sparked confusion and criticism among government officials. The breach of protocol in not immediately informing the White House of his absence due to illness has been a subject of debate. Despite this, Mr. Austin has been praised for his commitment to his duties and his resilience in managing his health concerns while maintaining his responsibilities as Defense Secretary.
As Deputy Secretary Kathleen Hicks temporarily assumes the functions and duties of Secretary of Defense during Mr. Austin’s hospitalization, the Pentagon reaffirms a commitment to ensuring continuity in leadership and operations. The Pentagon has emphasized that Mr. Austin’s conditions are being managed and he is expected to recover well from the upcoming procedure. The upcoming trip to Singapore, Cambodia, and France reflects the ongoing engagement and diplomatic efforts of the Defense Secretary, highlighting the importance of maintaining U.S. defense relationships and partnerships despite health challenges.
