Pentagon says Lloyd Austin has full access to required secure communications capabilities while working remotely
The Pentagon said Monday that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was released from the hospital because he was facing complications from prostate cancer, days after being secretly hospitalized.
The former military general's doctors said he is expected to make a full recovery and that no treatments have been planned so far.
The Pentagon in a statement said it has “full access to required secure communications capabilities while working remotely.”
More than a week earlier, the Pentagon kept President Joe Biden in the dark for at least three days about his Defense Secretary's hospitalization until national security adviser Jake Sullivan informed him.
US media reports indicated that Joe Biden was unaware of Lloyd Austin's whereabouts when the secretary was admitted to the hospital on January 1.
Not only Biden but senior White House officials were also shocked to learn of the Pentagon chief's health status.
The Pentagon issued an official statement about its boss on January 4, which drew harsh criticism across the country.
According to doctors in Austin, he is on track to make a full recovery.
“Secretary Austin progressed well during his stay and his strength is recovering,” said Dr. John Maddox and Dr. Gregory Chesnut of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, adding that “his prostate cancer was treated early and effectively, and its prognosis is excellent. “.
Pentagon spokesman Patrick S. Ryder, explaining the delay, said more than a week earlier: “This was an evolving situation, in which we had to consider a number of factors, including medical and personal privacy issues.”
The position of Secretary of Defense is crucial in the US government hierarchy, as the appointee sits below the president in the military chain of command.
In early December, the 70-year-old underwent another surgery for prostate cancer and was then hospitalized due to complications on New Year's Eve.
However, President Biden had a “cordial conversation” with Secretary Austin and expressed “complete confidence” in him.
In a statement issued Monday, Austin expressed his gratitude for his medical team, saying, “Now, as I continue to recover and perform my duties from home, I look forward to making a full recovery and returning as quickly as possible to the Pentagon.”
