Biden was in the dark for a long time
Investigators examine processes surrounding Lloyd Austin’s cancer treatment
January 11, 2024, 8:44 p.m
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The process is unusual: US Secretary of Defense Austin receives a cancer diagnosis and does not inform the President. He’s “not amused” about it. Criticism comes from Democrats and Republicans. Now an investigator is even supposed to look into the case.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s week-long silence about his prostate cancer is prompting an internal ministry investigation. A Pentagon letter said Inspector General Robert Storch would review “the roles, processes, procedures, responsibilities and actions” related to the secretary’s two hospitalizations in December and January.
The White House announced the day before that President Joe Biden had not been informed about his defense secretary’s cancer for about a month. This was “not optimal,” said National Security Council spokesman John Kirby. It should be ensured “that something like this doesn’t happen again.”
Inspector General Storch, who is now responsible for investigating the incident, acts independently of the management levels of the ministry. According to his department’s self-description, his task is to investigate possible grievances and abuses in the ministry and to promote behavior in accordance with ethical principles.
Austin was diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of December and underwent surgery on December 22nd. On New Year’s Day, the minister was readmitted to Walter Reed Military Hospital near Washington due to complications.
Pentagon remains silent about diagnosis for a long time
It was only on January 5th that the Pentagon published a statement in which it reported that the minister had been hospitalized. The reason for the treatment was not mentioned, it only mentioned “complications following a recent medical procedure”. It wasn’t until four days later, on Tuesday, that the ministry announced that Austin was being treated for prostate cancer.
Accordingly, the 70-year-old’s cancer was discovered in its early stages and the prospects for recovery were “excellent”. However, the Pentagon’s weeks-long silence about the minister’s illness is causing a great stir in Washington – especially since Austin fell ill at a time of great security policy challenges, particularly as a result of the Gaza war and the Ukraine war.
Strong criticism of Austin came not only from the opposition Republicans, but also from the ranks of Biden’s Democrats. However, Security Council spokesman Kirby said Wednesday that the president continued to have “full confidence” in Austin and looked forward to his return to the Pentagon.