Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has transferred authority to his deputy, Kathleen Hicks, hours after he was hospitalized Sunday afternoon with bladder problems, the Pentagon announced Sunday evening. The Pentagon had initially said that Austin would retain the powers of defense secretary in a previous statement.
Austin was transported to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, on Sunday by his security detail.
Austin suffered complications from prostate cancer surgery that put him in the hospital for several weeks starting in late December. Austin kept his illness and hospitalization secret from Joe Biden, much of his staff and the public, sparking calls for his resignation. When Austin returned to the Pentagon in late January, he had a noticeable limp.
Update: Secretary Austin remains hospitalized and receiving treatment. At approximately 4:55 p.m. today, he transferred the duties and duties of the Office of the Secretary of Defense to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks. Full statement: https://t.co/ohOQmlG57x
– Major General Patrick Ryder (@PentagonPresSec) February 12, 2024
Statement from Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder on the health condition of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III
February 11, 2024Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following update on the health status of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III:
Earlier today, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III was taken by his security guard to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to be examined for symptoms indicating an emergency bladder problem. He is still in the hospital and receiving treatment. At approximately 4:55 p.m. today, Secretary Austin transferred the duties and duties of the Office of the Secretary of Defense to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks. The Deputy Minister of Defense assumed the duties and tasks. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the White House, and Congress were notified.
We will provide additional updates on Secretary Austin's condition as soon as possible.
Previous statement from the Pentagon:
Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Rader made the following statement:
Today, at approximately 2:20 p.m., Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III was taken by his security guard to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to be examined for symptoms indicating an emergency bladder problem. The Deputy Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have been notified. In addition, there have been notifications from the White House and Congress.
At this time, the Secretary retains the duties and duties of his or her office. The Deputy Minister is prepared to assume the duties and duties of the Minister of Defense, if necessary. Secretary Austin traveled to the hospital with the classified and unclassified communications systems necessary to perform his duties.
We will provide an update on Secretary Austin's condition as soon as possible.
