Biden’s Defense Sec LIED To Congress Over His Sudden Disappearance

A Pentagon report reveals Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin failed to inform Congress and the White House about his hospitalization, raising concerns over national security risks.

Why wasn’t he honest about it?

At a Glance

  • Secretary Austin did not notify Congress or the White House about his prostate cancer treatment and complications
  • The Pentagon’s Inspector General criticized Austin for communication failures
  • Austin’s desire for privacy influenced his staff’s decision-making
  • The incident led to anger from the White House and Congress, resulting in bipartisan criticism
  • Procedural changes were recommended to improve communication and prevent future issues

Communication Breakdown at the Pentagon

Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III’s failure to inform Congress and the White House about his hospitalization for prostate cancer treatment has led to a scathing internal Pentagon report. The report highlights significant communication gaps within the Department of Defense, raising alarms over potential national security risks.

He lied. It’s as simple as that.

The Pentagon’s inspector general criticized Austin for keeping his hospitalization secret from President Biden and other key officials. This breach of protocol has drawn attention to the critical importance of adhering to established communication procedures, especially concerning top military officials.

Austin’s desire for privacy reportedly influenced his staff’s decision not to further investigate his condition or inform others. According to the report, Austin instructed his staff to keep his hospitalization private, though he later denied this claim.

“You’re more than welcome to ask [me] directly,” Austin reportedly told his staff, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The Secretary’s Chief of Staff, Kelly Magsamen, expressed concerns about the secrecy, emphasizing the importance of transparency due to Austin’s role. Magsamen stated, “I wish [Secretary Austin] were a normal person but he’s the [Secretary of Defense]. We have a big institutional responsibility. He can’t just go totally dark on his staff. Please pass to him that we can’t keep his hospitalization a secret forever. It’s kind of big deal for him to be in [the Intensive Care Unit].”

Consequences and Criticism

The incident led to anger from the White House and Congress, resulting in a hearing where Austin faced bipartisan criticism. Austin later apologized for not informing President Biden and others, acknowledging he should have handled the situation differently.

The report revealed that Austin was diagnosed with prostate cancer in December 2023 and underwent surgery on December 22, later experiencing complications. Congress and top Pentagon leaders were unaware of Austin’s hospitalization for days, with public affairs and Defense aides only informed on January 2, and the information not made public until January 4.

The internal review blamed privacy restrictions and staff hesitancy for the communication failures. As a result, procedural changes were recommended to improve communication and prevent similar issues in the future, including better guidelines for authority transfer and reporting requirements.