USA
Austin’s hospital stay – Pentagon wants to check procedures
After severe criticism of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for keeping his hospital stay secret, the Pentagon has launched an internal investigation. photo
© Boris Roessler/dpa
US Defense Secretary Austin’s prostate cancer has caused a stir. President Biden only found out about the diagnosis very late – and there is now criticism from the White House.
After heavy criticism of the US Secretary of Defense The Pentagon has opened an internal investigation into Lloyd Austin because of the secrecy surrounding his hospital stay. The department’s inspectorate will begin reviewing Austin’s actions related to the hospitalization later this month, the Pentagon said. It should be clarified whether the ministry’s guidelines are sufficient to ensure that in the event of illness, responsibilities are clarified and notification chains work.
Austin had made it public that he had prostate cancer. According to the White House, US President Joe Biden only found out about the diagnosis a few hours before the public. According to Austin’s doctors, the illness was diagnosed at the beginning of December. Shortly before Christmas he underwent an operation. Complications occurred at the beginning of January, which is why the 70-year-old is still in the hospital. The White House expressed clear criticism of the Pentagon chief’s information policy and ordered that the procedures for such cases be reviewed.