U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks throughout an interview at the Pentagon,Feb 1, 2024.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds|AFP|Getty Images
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin openly said sorry Thursday for not informing President Joe Biden and the general public about his prostate cancer medical diagnosis and his subsequent hospitalization.
“We did not handle this right. And I did not handle this right. I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis. I should have also told my team and the American public, and I take full responsibility. I apologize to my teammates and to the American people,” Austin stated in a rundown at the Pentagon.
The Pentagon took 3 days to notify the White House that Austin was hospitalized after problems emerged from surgical treatment to treat his prostate cancer.
“I’ve apologized directly to President Biden,” Austin stated. “And I’ve told him that I’m deeply sorry for not letting him know immediately that I received a heavy diagnosis and was getting treatment.”
Austin stated Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks presumed his tasks onJan 2, after he was moved to the crucial care system for numerous days. However, Hicks was not notified tillJan 4 that Austin was hospitalized. Austin resumed his authority onJan 5 and was launched from the healthcare facility 10 days later on.
The event exposed possible spaces in the U.S. pecking order at the Pentagon that raised alarms worldwide, amidst stress in the Middle East and war inUkraine During Austin’s hospitalization the U.S. performed a strike in Iraq that eliminated a militia leader the Pentagon blamed for attacks on U.S. workers. Austin stated Thursday the strike was prepared which he had actually formerly advised to the president that it ought to be performed.
Austin stated Thursday that while he was confessed to extensive care at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, there were never ever any spaces in authority at the DefenseDepartment He stated a continuous Pentagon internal evaluation will expose more about the event and what Hicks learnt about his hospitalization.
“We’re committed to sharing as much as possible as soon as possible,” Austin stated.
Biden stated in January that it was a lapse in judgment for Austin not to inform him about his medical diagnosis and hospitalization however that he believed in the Defense secretary. Austin stated Thursday he never ever thought about resigning as an outcome of the event.
Austin likewise stated Thursday that his medical diagnosis and subsequent hospitalization was a missed out on chance for him to highlight the significance of getting evaluated for prostate cancer.
“I’m here with a clear message to other men, especially older men. Get screened. Get your regular checkups,” Austin stated.
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