US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin admitted he “did not handle this right” and should have told President Biden and the public of his prostate cancer diagnosis.
However, he said he did not order his staff to hide his condition.
“We didn't handle this right and I didn't handle this right,” Austin said. “I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis. I take full responsibility.”
Latest news in the Middle East: Austin warns that the United States will take “necessary action” amid a “dangerous moment”
The Defense Minister was diagnosed in early December, and underwent surgery on December 22. But he did not tell the president and other prominent figures until days after complications forced him to enter intensive care On January 1st.
Mr Austin acknowledged his mistake in his first news conference since his diagnosis.
The slow revelation of his condition prompted an internal review at the Pentagon and an inspector general review of his department's notification processes.
Mr Austin was taken to hospital by ambulance 10 days after surgery due to severe pain.
Mr. Austin is a step below the president on defense matters — and he should be available
It turned out that one of his employees asked paramedics not to use lights and sirens when transporting him from his home in Virginia.
The 70-year-old transferred decision-making authority to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks, but did not tell her why.
Mr. Austin is just below the president in the military chain of command and must be available at a moment's notice to respond to any national security crisis.
“I never asked anyone to keep my January hospitalization away from the White House,” he told reporters on Thursday.
President Biden He previously said it was poor judgment by Mr Austin not to tell him he was in intensive care.
However, he said he still trusted him.
Mr. Austin worked from home for two weeks after being released from the hospital on January 15 and returned to the Pentagon on Monday.
Returning to his defense duties, he briefed reporters today on the latest developments after the incident Three soldiers were killed in a drone attack on an American base in Jordan.
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How will the United States respond to the drone attack?
He said that “Iranian-backed and Iranian-financed terrorist groups” were increasing their attacks in the Middle East during a “dangerous moment” for the region.
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But he stopped short of blaming a specific group for the attack that occurred in Jordan.
The Defense Minister said: “We will respond where we choose, when we choose, and how we choose.”
But he stressed that the United States wanted to avoid a broader conflict while taking “necessary” measures to protect its interests.
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Biden decided to respond to the drone attack
Mr Austin said this included freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, where the US and UK have targeted Houthi forces from Yemen who have been attacking commercial ships.
Austin said that the response to the attack on Jordan will be “multi-level,” and America will have the ability to respond multiple times.
President Biden indicated this week that he has already decided how the United States will respond.
