The report released on Wednesday by the Pentagon’s inspector general has shed light on the hospitalizations of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, which occurred in late 2023 and early 2024, revealing that the lack of transparency surrounding these medical events unnecessarily heightened risks to U.S. national security. This conclusion emerged from a nearly year-long investigation that scrutinized over 56 million pieces of data, conducted interviews with 44 witnesses, and focused on critical timeframes when Austin was hospitalized for prostate cancer-related procedures. Alarmingly, his medical situations were concealed from senior officials within the White House and key national security figures for several days, igniting substantial concerns regarding communication protocols and the transfer of command authority during emergencies.
During two hospitalizations on January 6 and January 8, 2024, the review uncovered that Austin was advised against engaging in activities requiring clear mental faculties post-procedure. Despite this recommendation, Austin neglected to transfer his responsibilities to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks or inform her and his chief of staff regarding his medical circumstances during this crucial period. The neglect to delegate authority raised serious questions about the unbroken chain of command during times of potential crisis when the Secretary of Defense was in a vulnerable state.
The report further indicated that Austin was in a severe condition during another medical procedure weeks later yet still failed to inform Hicks about the transfer of his authorities until several hours after he had been admitted to the hospital. The investigation also revealed that notifications to the White House were not made in a timely manner during both December 2023 and January 2024 regarding his health and the necessary transfer of authority, which could have implications for national security operations.
The inspector general, Robert Storch, remarked on the importance of maintaining a continuous leadership presence within the Department of Defense and the government, emphasizing that such continuity is vital for national security. While the investigation did not find immediate adverse effects on operations, the report underscores that the manner in which Austin’s hospitalizations were handled elevated risks related to command and control over crucial operations undertaken by the Department of Defense.
During a previous news conference, Austin admitted that his approach to handling these hospitalizations was flawed. He expressed regret for not promptly informing President Biden about his cancer diagnosis and the implications for his leadership role, and acknowledged a shortfall in transparency to both his team and the public. He accepted full responsibility for the mismanagement of the situation and offered apologies to his colleagues and the American populace.
The inspector general’s findings also highlighted Austin’s excessive desire for privacy, noting a specific request for the ambulance to avoid using sirens or lights during his pick-up. Additionally, in interactions with his team, he communicated to a junior staff member that inquiries regarding his condition could be directed to him, an approach deemed unlikely to spur genuine questions about his health status.
Kelly Magsamen, Austin’s chief of staff at that time, expressed her frustration over the lack of information about his health, remarking that he had gone completely off the radar with his staff, which raised alarms due to the nature of his position. Communication through texts revealed her growing concerns for both Austin’s well-being and the institution itself, indicating that withholding information was unsustainable and a considerable breach of expectations for transparency during such critical events.
To rectify future situations, the inspector general proposed 20 recommendations aimed at improving the decisiveness in communication during medical emergencies, advocating for broader decision-making inclusivity and enhanced information flow both within the Department of Defense and across governmental agencies. These suggestions are meant to prevent recurrence of similar issues that compromise national security, stressing that seamless operations are essential under any circumstance.
