Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III planned to undergo a medical procedure at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Friday afternoon and temporarily transfer power to his deputy, the Pentagon press secretary said in a statement.
Austin continues to deal with bladder problems that arose in December after his treatment for prostate cancer, Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said.
The procedure is elective and minimally invasive, “is not related to his cancer diagnosis and has had no effect on his excellent cancer prognosis,” the press secretary said.
While Austin is indisposed, his authority is transferred to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, the Pentagon said.
Austin, 70, has had ongoing health problems since his prostate cancer surgery.
He spent two weeks in the hospital due to complications from a prostatectomy and faced criticism at the time for not immediately informing President Biden or Congress of his diagnosis or hospitalization.
Austin was taken back to Walter Reed for a bladder problem in February, when he was admitted to intensive care for the second time and received non-surgical treatment under general anesthesia.
The Pentagon notified the White House and Congress ahead of Friday's procedure, Ryder said.
Copp writes for the Associated Press.
