According to comprehensive foreign media reports, the United States said on the 8th local time that Biden does not plan to fire Secretary of Defense Austin. Prior to that, Austin was hospitalized due to illness, and the Pentagon did not notify the White House until three days after Austin was hospitalized, which sparked controversy.
Screenshot of the report of the US "Capitol Hill".
As previously reported, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) on January 1 due to complications after surgery. And the Pentagon did not notify the White House of Austin's hospitalization until January 4, three days after Austin was hospitalized, and then Sullivan, the US adviser, informed Biden of the news.
Reuters noted that the situation sparked outrage in the United States, as Austin's role meant that he should be on standby in case of emergency. The 70-year-old Austin's position in the U.S. military's chain of command is second only to Biden, and his duties require him to be ready to respond to any *** crisis.
According to the report, some Republicans, including former Trump in the United States, have called for Austin's dismissal. Trump posted on social media: "(Austin) he's been missing for a week and no one knows he's, or could be, in**.
In response, the Pentagon said on January 8 that Austin had left the intensive care unit and was doing well, although he was still feeling unwell. **They also said that Austin is currently housed in a more intimate part of the hospital and has not yet set a date for discharge.
The White House also said that Biden is not seeking to remove Austin. John Kirby, coordinator for strategic communications at the White House Committee, said: "There is no plan for Austin other than to keep Austin in office and to play the leadership role he has always demonstrated." ”