Who is Lloyd Austin, whose sudden disappearance had shocked the entire Biden administration, why is he now being criticized?

American Defense Minister Lloyd Austin did something that created an uproar in the entire country. Lloyd Austin was hospitalized for the last several days due to ill health. But it is worth noting that neither President Joe Biden nor the US administration was aware of this. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been hospitalized since January 1 due to complications following surgery about two weeks ago to treat prostate cancer, the Pentagon said. Since then, controversy started over the lack of transparency of US Defense Minister Austin.

Who is Lloyd Austin?

Lloyd James Austin III is a retired US Army general who currently serves as the 28th US Secretary of Defense. Austin, 70, left the armed services after an illustrious tenure of 41 years and took oath as the US Secretary of Defense on January 22, 2021. According to his official profile he is the Principal Assistant to the President on all matters related to the Department of Defense and serves on the National Security Council. He is sixth in the US presidential succession after Vice President Kamala Harris, Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson, Senate President Pro Tempore Patty Murray, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. Austin is also a prominent figure in the US national security apparatus, particularly in light of the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war, Israel–Gaza conflict, and Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. Recently, he visited Tel Aviv and reportedly raised the Biden administration’s concerns over civilian deaths in Palestine. He also visited Bahrain and Qatar in December 2023, where he met several key leaders, including Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah. Had met.

Why is the health condition controversial?

Dr. John Maddox, trauma medical director at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and Dr. Gregory Chesnutt, director of the Murtha Cancer Center, said in a statement that Austin was diagnosed with prostate cancer early last month. Austin was admitted to the hospital on December 22, 2023, after consultation with his medical team, where he underwent surgery. According to the statement, Austin received general anesthesia during the surgery and went home the next morning. Prostate cancer was detected early in his life. The statement said Austin was admitted to Walter Reed Medical Center on January 1 due to complications from surgery in December. He complained of nausea along with pain in the stomach, hip and leg. Initial tests revealed a bladder infection following which it was decided on January 2 to shift him to the intensive care (ICU) unit for observation and better care.

Biden was not aware

As head of the US Department of Defense, Austin was expected to inform the White House of any actual or potential delegation of authority. However, according to a report from CNBC, President Biden learned of Austin’s prostate cancer diagnosis on Tuesday morning. Austin’s hospitalization was also kept secret, with the President being informed on Thursday, four days after Austin was admitted to Walter Reed Hospital. Meanwhile, members of Congress learned about the surgery and hospitalization only Friday through a public statement from the Pentagon. A report in the newspaper The New York Times stated that White House officials were shocked when they learned of Austin’s treatment and surgery.,

What did the Pentagon say?

The Pentagon said Austin would continue to perform his duties as secretary of defense. Addressing a press conference, Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder said Secretary Austin’s health continues to improve. He remains in contact with his senior staff and has full access to the necessary secure communications capabilities and continues to oversee the day-to-day operations of DoD around the world. At this time I do not have any information to tell when he can be discharged from the hospital.