The U.S. Secretary of Defense was admitted to the hospital with prostate cancer **Biden "only knew".
Liu Xi. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has drawn criticism for "not calling in sick." The White House said on the 9th that Austin was admitted to the hospital with prostate cancer, and **Joseph Biden did not learn of Austin's specific admission until the same day**. A growing number of Republicans are unhappy with the matter.
It wasn't until this morning (9th) morning that the White House learned that Austin had prostate cancer," said John Kirby, the White House Committee Strategic Communications Coordinator. ”
Kirby said at a White House press conference that Austin did not follow the relevant procedures and that other ** unaware situations have continued for so long, "it is not appropriate" and "to make sure that similar situations do not happen again."
However, Kirby said that Biden has "complete confidence" in Austin and expects him to return to the Pentagon.
Austin is 70 years old. According to the doctor, he was diagnosed with cancer during a routine screening in early December last year. On the 22nd of that month, Austin "underwent minimally invasive surgery" and was discharged the next day. But on Jan. 1 of this year, Austin felt nauseous and had severe pain in his abdomen, hips and legs due to the infection.
Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder told reporters on the 8th that Austin was taken by ambulance to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on the 1st. On the 2nd, some of Austin's authority was transferred to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, but she was not informed of Austin's hospitalization until two days later.
According to the Associated Press, the release of news of Austin's cancer has raised more questions about the transparency and authenticity of the U.S. Department of Defense, which has said in the past few days that Austin initially underwent "elective medical procedures" and not prostate surgery. When asked why he used this wording, Ryder said at a press conference on the 9th that it was decided in consultation with Austin's doctors and that the question was "very personal."
According to Ryder's statement on the 8th, Austin's chief of staff, Kelly Magusamen, had the flu, so he did not report the news of Austin's hospitalization in time, and only informed Hicks and ** affairs assistant Jack Sullivan on the 4th. Sullivan then reported Austin's admission to Biden on the matter. The United States ** reported that the Pentagon did not notify Congress until 15 minutes before the public release on the 5th.
According to Reuters, Austin passed ** with Biden on the 6th, but it is not clear why Biden did not learn that Austin had prostate cancer until the 9th.
Doctors say Austin's cancer is in its early stages and the prognosis is good.
Austin is the "No. 2 man" in the U.S. armed forces after **, and his concealed hospitalization this time comes at a time when the situation in the Middle East is tense and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues, which has shocked the political world and attracted criticism. Republican former Donald Trump and House Republican meeting chairwoman Alice Stephanik have demanded Austin's resignation.
Mike Rogers, Republican chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, wrote in a letter to Austin on the 9th that "the White House and even your own deputy do not know the true situation of your condition," which is "obviously unacceptable."
Faced with strong dissatisfaction from some Democratic and Republican members of Congress, White House Chief of Staff Jeffrey Zintz ordered an urgent review of the regulations regarding the incapacity of senior ** in the United States. The Department of Defense announced in a memorandum on the evening of the 8th that it will review the manner in which power is transferred, and pay special attention to matters related to Austin's hospitalization to ensure that the White House, Congress and the public are properly and timely informed when similar incidents occur in the future.
However, Ryder reiterated on the 9th that Austin has no plans to resign. (End) (Special article by Xinhua News Agency).