U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was caught in a medical crisis at the start of the new year 2024, lying in the ICU ward for five days without ** and Congress knowing. This incident has aroused global shock and questioning, is there any serious flaw and hidden danger in the US system? Has Biden been overshadowed by his own Secretary of Defense and Deputy Secretaries? Why didn't Austin resign to cover up deeper issues?
Between January 1 and January 5, 2024, U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin was admitted to the ICU ward because of a heart attack, but this news was kept strictly secret by the Pentagon until January 6, which means that during these five days, the U.S. Secretary of Defense was actually "lost", and he was unable to perform his duties and report to ** and Congress ***. This medical crisis not only raises concerns about Austin's health, but also raises questions about the transparency and effectiveness of the U.S. system. Why Austin's illness should be concealed, and to whom his powers and responsibilities are **, these are all questions that need to be answered urgently.
What is even more surprising is that the number two person in the Ministry of Defense, Deputy Secretary Hicks, has also shown an irresponsible attitude in this medical crisis. According to the report, Hicks learned of Austin's condition on January 2, but he did not notify ** and Congress in a timely manner, nor did he take the initiative to assume leadership responsibilities for the Department of Defense. Instead, he went on vacation to Puerto Rico during this time, enjoying the sun and sand. This behavior makes one wonder if Hicks is responsible and loyal enough, and if he really cares about *** and the functioning of the Ministry of Defense.
This medical crisis has exposed the absence of the leadership of the US Department of Defense at a critical time, and not only Austin was overthrown, but even the deputy secretary disappeared into the sunshine of vacation. This has plunged Biden into an unprecedented embarrassment, not only do they know nothing about the situation at the Department of Defense, but they are also unable to effectively monitor and hold accountable the leaders of the Department of Defense. Imagine that if an emergency military situation were to occur at this time, Biden** could face serious decision-making lags and poor execution. This has led people to wonder whether the U.S. defense system is really as efficient and orderly as it seems.
Although Austin has taken full responsibility for the full responsibility by issuing an apology statement on Jan. 6, he has so far refused to submit his resignation. This raises more questions about the responsibility of the leadership of the US Department of Defense. Austin's non-resignation is to cover up deeper institutional problems, such as the internal communication mechanism of the Department of Defense, the distribution of powers between the Secretary of Defense and the Deputy Secretary, the relationship between the Department of Defense and the Congress, and so on. These issues may involve fundamental reforms of the U.S. Department of Defense, and Austin's resignation could trigger the advancement of those reforms, which he may not want to see.
The medical crisis of US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is a storm that exposes the shortcomings of the US system. It has shown the world the opacity, uncoordination and irresponsibility of the leadership of the US Department of Defense, and it has also put Biden in the predicament of being hollowed out. Austin's failure to resign has also raised doubts about his intention to cover up deeper institutional problems. As the incident unfolds, whether the United States will carry out institutional reform will become the focus of global attention.