CNN
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The Pentagon’s announcement late Friday that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been hospitalized since New Year’s Day shocked both the Pentagon press corps and national security officials. Three days later, many questions still remain, including what’s wrong with Austin and when he will leave Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland.
But CNN’s report and further disclosures from the Pentagon are beginning to shed light on the still-murky circumstances surrounding his hospitalization and why it took so long to inform other senior officials.
Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said over the weekend that Austin was admitted to the hospital for elective surgery on Dec. 22 while on vacation. He returned home the next day and “continued to work from home throughout his vacation.” In response to questions from CNN on Monday, Ryder said the Pentagon had not notified the White House that Austin was undergoing surgery.
Rider said Austin began experiencing “severe pain” on Jan. 1 and was taken by ambulance from his home to Walter Reed, where he was admitted to the intensive care unit.
“He was conscious but in a lot of pain,” Ryder said. He underwent “examination and evaluation” at the hospital that night and on January 2, and delegated some of his powers to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks “based on medical advice.” That same day, Austin’s Chief of Staff Kelly Magsamen, his senior military aide, Lt. Gen. Ronald Clark, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. CQ Brown, were informed of Austin’s hospitalization.
Ryder could not provide details about whether Austin was unconscious between the time he arrived at Walter Reed on Jan. 1 and handed over power to Hicks. But he added that “at no time was our national security at risk” and that he understood that Austin was “capable of carrying out his duties as Secretary of Defense.”
Those who knew about Austin’s trip to the hospital included his personal security personnel, who accompanied him to the hospital, and a junior military auxiliary who met with Austin at Walter Reed on January 2.
“[T]”There was always positive communication here regarding the chief’s whereabouts,” Ryder said.
Other Pentagon officials and senior members of the Biden administration, including President Joe Biden himself, did not know for several days that the defense secretary was hospitalized. Among those in the dark was that Austin ceded some of his authority to Hicks on January 2nd.
Rider also said Monday that Jan. 1 was not the first time he took over some of Austin’s duties because Hicks was hospitalized. Ryder said she was kept in the dark even after some of her powers were transferred to her during her election process on Dec. 22. Her White House was reportedly not informed of her procedure.
Hicks, Biden, the National Security Council and the military chiefs were not notified until several days later.
Ryder said the delay in notification was because Magsamen was “sick with the flu.” It remains unclear why Mr. Magsamen did not delegate responsibility for notifying the White House or Congress, or why those around Mr. Austin who knew about his condition did not notify him.
“So, let me be frank with you…the Secretary has taken responsibility for the overall transparency concerns,” Ryder said. “Again, I work with Chief Magsamen every day and you will never meet anyone who works harder than her. And she had the flu. Hence the reason for the delay. I’m not going to stand here and make excuses other than explanations and the fact that I know I can do better.”
Two days later, on January 4, Mr. Magsamen informed Mr. Hicks and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan of Mr. Austin’s hospitalization. On the same day, Magsamen and Hicks began drafting an official statement and parliamentary notification.
Ryder said it took about a day to issue these notices and statements because he was working to “get the facts and make sure it’s adjusted.”
Austin was not among those who signed the statement, which was finally released at about 5 p.m. Friday evening. Shortly before he did so he notified Congress. Ryder then added that since the news broke Friday evening, Austin has spoken with Sen. Jack Reed, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. The Department of Defense also announced that Mr. Austin has resumed his duties.
Rider said Monday that the Pentagon is reviewing its notification processes and procedures. Regarding Mr Magsamen’s failure to notify the appropriate authorities, Mr Rider said one of the things being considered was essentially “putting people out of the loop” to ensure a more consistent process. He said that.
The fact that Austin was hospitalized for days before Biden or his national security adviser knew about it, but apparently went unnoticed, may suggest that Austin was out of the loop. In response to a question, Ryder said Austin “works incredibly hard every day to ensure this country.” It’s safe. ”
“He suffered complications from surgery and was admitted to the hospital for treatment. He remains committed to making sure the department has what it needs and what we need to do to protect our country. I’m very focused on that,” Ryder said. “So, not to make excuses here, but because I’ve worked with him for a very long time and watched him up close, he’s not out of the loop. He’s incredibly enthusiastic. You won’t find a more dedicated public servant.”
Ryder said Monday that Austin spoke by phone with Hicks and Sullivan and received an “operational update” from Gen. Eric Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command, along with Hicks and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Biden standing next to Austin
Despite growing questions about why Austin and his staff did not notify the White House, Congress and the National Security Council, officials maintain that Biden supports Austin.
“We have no plans other than for Secretary Austin to remain in office and continue the leadership he has shown,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Monday.
At a news conference from the Pentagon on Monday, Ryder said Austin had not tendered his resignation, nor had his chief of staff or anyone else in a position to inform the president of Austin’s condition. Ryder said he remains hospitalized but not in intensive care.
Asked why the Pentagon didn’t notify the White House about Austin’s initial procedure at Walter Reed on Dec. 22, Ryder said he didn’t know, but the Pentagon has now notified the White House. It said it was reviewing its procedures and was “considering the implications” of statutory reporting requirements.
“[B]The bottom line is we know we can do better and we will do better,” Ryder said.
Lawmakers are demanding accountability and more answers as the White House backs Austin and the Pentagon seeks to mitigate the impact of the news.
Reed said Monday that he wished Austin a “quick and full recovery,” but added that he was concerned that “critical chain of command and notification procedures were not followed.”
“While he has taken responsibility for the situation, this is a serious incident that requires transparency and accountability from the department,” Reed said. “This lack of disclosure must never happen again.”
Republican Sen. Roger Wicker, the committee’s ranking member, also wished Austin a speedy recovery over the weekend, but accused the Pentagon of “deliberately” putting Austin’s medical condition on hold for “several days.”
“That’s unacceptable,” he said. “We are learning more by the hour about the department’s shocking violations of law.”
Republican Rep. Matt Rosendale of Montana, who is running for the Senate, said he plans to file articles of impeachment against Austin on Tuesday. While the impeachment effort is likely to be futile, it is yet another example of how Republicans are increasingly weaponizing this tool for political purposes. Rosendale has not yet had a chance to discuss co-sponsoring the impeachment resolution with his colleagues, but he said he plans to do so once members return to Washington.
Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa told reporters: “The Houthis are attacking Americans and shipping ships, the war between Israel and Gaza is going on, and what’s happening in Ukraine. “This is absolutely unacceptable.” The Secretary of Defense is simply absent. ”
Sen. Joe Manchin said Austin’s actions were “deeply disturbing” and said he supports holding some type of hearing, public or private, to investigate what happened. Ta. “Congress needs answers,” the West Virginia Democrat said.
While most senators expressed shock, Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren said there was no need for further investigation into the situation. “Some Republicans want to be politically active 24/7,” she said, adding that she is not interested in the cause of hospitalizations.
“I hope the Secretary makes a full and speedy recovery and returns to 100% work as soon as possible. He has taken full responsibility for this. And I am confident that nothing like that will ever happen again. ” she said.
Austin said in a statement Saturday that he ultimately takes full responsibility for his decisions regarding disclosure and promises to “do better.”
CNN’s Kevin Liptak, Manu Raju, Haley Talbot, Morgan Rimmer and Melanie Zanona contributed to this report.
