Defense Secretary's Prostate Cancer Revelation Sparks Controversy
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's recent hospitalisation has ignited a political firestorm, with President Joe Biden only learning about his prostate cancer diagnosis on Tuesday according to White House reports.
Austin, 70, has been in Walter Reed National Military Medical Center since January 1. The Pentagon had kept Austin's hospitalisation secret, leading to concerns about national security and the lack of transparency from the administration.
The controversy deepened as it was revealed that not only did Biden remain unaware of Austin's situation until Tuesday, but his own deputy, Kathleen Hicks, was kept in the dark for days. It is reported that Austin and Biden spoke on Saturday, but why the White House was not informed of the diagnosis remains unclear. The delay in communication has triggered backlash, with some Republicans viewing it as a dereliction of duty.
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center disclosed that Austin's prostate cancer, discovered in December, which resulted in a surgical procedure on December 22. Complications arose, leading to his current hospitalisation. While the Pentagon assured the public that Austin is making progress, questions about the handling of the situation persist.
Despite calls from some Republicans, including Donald Trump, for Austin's removal, the Pentagon stated he has no plans to resign, and President Biden expressed complete confidence in his defence secretary. The incident underscores challenges in communication within the administration, raising concerns about transparency and the timely disclosure of critical information.
