Jordan Ellis
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin faced criticism for failing to disclose his hospitalization for days in January 2024. Austin was hospitalized for complications following a procedure to treat prostate cancer. He was released from the hospital on January 15 and resumed his duties from home. However, on February 11, Austin was hospitalized again due to a bladder issue. He underwent non-surgical procedures under general anesthesia and was expected to resume his normal duties soon. The latest update on February 12 stated that Austin had transferred his duties to the Deputy Secretary of Defense and was still receiving treatment at the hospital.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Lloyd J. Austin III |
| Position | Secretary of Defense |
| Reason for Hospitalization | Prostate cancer, bladder issue, urinary tract infection |
| Hospital | Walter Reed National Military Medical Center |
| Age | 70 |
| Status | Recovering well, in good spirits, in good condition |
| Criticism | Secrecy around hospitalization, delayed disclosure to President Biden and the public |
| Transfer of Powers | Temporary transfer of duties to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks |
| Prognosis | Excellent, no further treatments anticipated |
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What You'll Learn
Sec. Austin's prostate cancer diagnosis and surgery
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on December 22, 2023, where he underwent surgery for prostate cancer. He developed an infection and was admitted to the intensive care unit on January 1, 2024. Austin, who was 70 years old at the time, had been experiencing symptoms such as fever, chills, and shallow breathing. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among American men, and African American men like Austin are considered at higher risk of developing it.
Austin's prostate cancer was reportedly detected after a routine prostate cancer screening. He did not disclose his diagnosis or hospitalization to President Joe Biden, Congress, or his deputy defense secretary for weeks, which led to an inspector general investigation and a Pentagon internal review. However, Austin stated that he never instructed his staff to keep his hospitalization a secret.
Austin's doctors have said that his prognosis is "excellent," and that no further treatments are needed. He has since returned to work at the Pentagon but has experienced some mobility issues, occasionally using a cane or motorized cart to get around.
On February 11, 2024, Austin was hospitalized again due to symptoms suggesting an emergent bladder issue. He underwent non-surgical procedures under general anesthesia to address the bladder problem. It was his second hospitalization that year related to his prostate cancer treatment. While the hospital stated that a prolonged stay was not anticipated, Austin's official duties were transferred to the Deputy Secretary of Defense, Kathleen Hicks.
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Sec. Austin's bladder issue
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was hospitalized on Sunday, February 12, 2024, due to symptoms suggesting an emergent bladder issue. This was his second hospitalization, the first being in December 2023, when he underwent prostate cancer surgery.
Austin was taken to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he underwent a non-surgical procedure under general anesthesia to address his bladder issue. He was placed in the critical care unit for several days for closer monitoring after experiencing fever and chills, as well as shallow breathing.
The bladder issue was likely a complication from his previous prostate cancer treatment. About 15% to 20% of men undergoing prostatectomy develop urinary tract infections during the post-operative period, and bladder infections are a known complication.
Austin's doctors have stated that the current bladder issue is not expected to change his anticipated full recovery, and his cancer prognosis remains excellent. He was expected to resume his normal duties on Tuesday, February 14, and his official duties were transferred to the Deputy Secretary of Defense, Kathleen Hicks, during his hospitalization.
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Sec. Austin's hospitalisation secrecy
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin faced criticism and backlash for not disclosing his hospitalization for days. Austin, who is sixth in the line of presidential succession, said he "could have done a better job of ensuring the public was appropriately informed".
Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for a nonsurgical medical procedure after experiencing symptoms indicating a bladder issue. This was his second hospitalisation, the first being in December 2023, when he underwent prostate cancer surgery. He had also been treated for a urinary tract infection, which is a common complication of prostate surgery.
Austin's secrecy around his health has become the subject of an inspector general investigation and a Pentagon internal review. Many questions have been raised about his illness and why he waited days to inform President Biden or make a public announcement. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., alleged that the Department of Defense "deliberately withheld the Secretary of Defense's medical condition for days", while former Vice President Mike Pence called it "a dereliction of duty".
Austin's official duties were transferred to the Deputy Secretary of Defense, Kathleen Hicks. He cancelled a planned trip to Brussels for a meeting with NATO defence ministers and his participation in a virtual Ukraine defence meeting was also tentative, depending on his health status.
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![The Hospital [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61oQ2sBPcmL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks assumes duties
On January 2, 2024, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks began assuming some of the responsibilities of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Hicks was on vacation in Puerto Rico at the time and was not informed that Austin had been hospitalized with complications from elective surgery.
Austin had entered the hospital on New Year's Day and was in the intensive care unit at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Despite his hospitalization, Austin was still tracking military strikes and was in contact with his aides.
The fact that Hicks was not informed of Austin's hospitalization raised questions within the administration about why his status was kept secret, not only from the public but also from senior national security officials and the White House. Pentagon officials expressed frustration and concern about how the disclosure of Austin's hospitalization was handled.
Hicks made contingency plans to return to Washington, DC, but Austin resumed his full duties from the hospital on Friday, and Hicks remained in Puerto Rico to ensure continuity of communications. She was authorized to support the president and made some routine operational and management decisions for the Pentagon during this time.
In February 2024, Austin was hospitalized again and transferred his official duties to Hicks, who became the acting secretary of defense.
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Sec. Austin's return to work
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III was hospitalized in December 2023 for prostate cancer surgery. He was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and his prognosis was reported as "excellent." However, Sec. Austin faced criticism for not disclosing his hospitalization and health condition to President Biden, Congress, or the public for weeks. This prompted an inspector general investigation and a Pentagon internal review.
On February 12, 2024, Sec. Austin was hospitalized again at Walter Reed due to a bladder issue. He underwent non-surgical procedures under general anesthesia to address the problem. The hospital stated that his bladder issue was not expected to change his anticipated full recovery and that his cancer prognosis remained excellent. Sec. Austin's official duties were temporarily transferred to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks.
As Sec. Austin recovered from his bladder issue, he was anticipated to be able to resume his full range of responsibilities. This included overseeing defense strategies, managing military operations, and engaging in diplomatic discussions with international allies. Sec. Austin's return to work signaled a restoration of his active role in leading the Department of Defense and ensuring the nation's security.
During his recovery period, Sec. Austin likely received regular medical updates from his doctors and remained in close communication with his deputy and other key officials. He may have gradually resumed his duties, ensuring a smooth transition back to his full workload. Sec. Austin's return to work was a significant step towards regaining stability within the Department of Defense and assuring both national and international stakeholders of his capacity to fulfill his duties.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Sec. Austin was released from the hospital on January 15, 2024, after spending two weeks there.
Sec. Austin underwent surgery to treat prostate cancer, which was detected during a routine screening. He developed an infection a week later and was hospitalized on January 1, 2024.
Yes, Sec. Austin faced criticism for not disclosing his hospitalization and cancer diagnosis immediately. Some critics called for his ouster, while others opened formal inquiries into the matter.
Sec. Austin resumed his duties from home after being released from the hospital. He had also delegated some of his duties to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks while hospitalized.
Sec. Austin returned to work at the Pentagon on January 29, 2024, and has since been performing his duties from there.
