UPDATE: U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin Admitted to Critical Care Unit
Austin traveled to Walter Reed on Sunday with equipment that will allow him to maintain both classified and unclassified communications.
Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin admitted to critical care unit, transfers duties to deputy
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was admitted to a critical care ward with a bladder issue after he transferred his duties to his deputy Sunday, the Pentagon said, as he battles prostate cancer.
“At approximately 4:55 pm today, Secretary Austin transferred the functions and duties of the office of the Secretary of Defense to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks,”Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in the statement, more than two hours after he first left for Walter Reed.
“The Deputy Secretary is prepared to assume the functions and duties of the Secretary of Defense, if required.”
The White House, Congress and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have also been notified of Austin’s condition, Ryder said.
Austin has been recovering from a severe urinary tract infection that developed following a procedure to treat prostate cancer late last year.
Pentagon chief in hospital due to ‘emergent bladder issue’
Lloyd Austin has sought urgent treatment for the second time this year
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was hospitalized over a medical emergency on Sunday, the Pentagon announced.
According to Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder, Austin was “transported by his security detail to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to be seen for symptoms suggesting an emergent bladder issue.”
Austin is “retaining the functions and duties of his office,” the spokesman said, adding that Deputy Secretary Kathleen Hicks is on standby.
Ryder said that the White House and Congress have been notified about the hospitalization.
Austin underwent surgery to treat prostate cancer on December 22.
He was then hospitalized for two weeks in early January due to “complications,” the Pentagon said.
The Defense Department was criticized for the way Austin’s January hospital stay was handled, after it was revealed that the Pentagon had not properly informed President Joe Biden until several days later.
“I have apologized directly to President Biden and I’ve told him that I’m deeply sorry for not letting him know immediately that I received a heavy diagnosis and was getting treatment,” Austin said at the time. He added that he “never directed anyone” to keep the White House in the dark about his hospitalization.
55 minutes ago — Joe Biden's top military adviser, Lloyd Austin, has been hospitalized because of an “emergent bladder issue”, the Pentagon said in a statement.
Lloyd Austin Hospitalized for 'Emergent Bladder Issue ...
58 minutes ago — U.S. Department of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was hospitalized on Sunday afternoon for an "emergent bladder issue," according to ...
Austin back in the hospital with 'emergent bladder issue'
2 hours ago — Austin has been recovering from a severe urinary tract infection that developed following a procedure to treat prostate cancer late last year.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin hospitalized with " ...
1 hour ago — The Pentagon said that Austin was experiencing a bladder issue, but was “retaining the functions and duties of his office,” according to reports ...
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