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The White House has been unusually vocal in its criticism of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s handling of his illness. “This is not the way this should be done,” National Security Council communications director John Kirby, 61, said Tuesday, referring to the Pentagon chief’s information policy. He had recently disclosed his prostate cancer.
As Commander in Chief of the US Armed Forces, Austin is the most powerful soldier in the world. The retired general and former commander of U.S. Central Command could be falling due to his cancer diagnosis. Both US President Joe Biden (81) and the White House apparently did not know for a long time that Austin was unavailable. This while allies Ukraine and Israel are at war. Could his ministry intervene in an emergency?
According to the White House, Biden, 81, only found out about a month after being diagnosed in early December. The calls from political opponents for the minister’s resignation are growing louder. The White House initially expressed its confidence in the minister.
Mysterious hospital stay
The minister’s health was the subject of speculation in the United States for days after it became known on Friday that the 70-year-old was still in hospital. The Pentagon provided scant information about this – and only with delay. Only on Tuesday did Austin announce that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in early December.
Shortly before Christmas he underwent surgery. Ultimately, complications arose on New Year’s Day, according to the responsible clinic. Austin had to go to the hospital due to a urinary tract infection and was temporarily treated in intensive care.
US President Biden also did not know for several days that his minister was in hospital. In the US, the question arose as to who actually had authority in the Pentagon in international crises such as the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and the tense situation in the Middle East if the Minister of Defense were absent. The Pentagon therefore came under heavy criticism. It is common in the United States for the public to be very well informed about the health of its top politicians.
The White House is changing its tune
The White House initially backed Austin, praising his performance as head of the Pentagon. Austin apologized for this past weekend’s information policy. However, he did not provide any information about why he was in the hospital in the first place. Now the turning point came when the diagnosis became known: Biden was only told on Tuesday morning that Austin had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, the White House said. The Democrat discovered it just a few hours before the public. The White House said this was not “optimal.”
Both Kirby and spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre (49) clearly expressed their dissatisfaction with the information policy at the press conference. As a cabinet member, you have a duty to be as transparent as possible, Kirby said. “The president … believes that transparency with the American people is very important.” That’s why something like this shouldn’t happen again. When asked how Biden and Austin spoke on the phone a few days ago and the secretary’s diagnosis was not discussed, the White House had no answer.
Republicans demand resignation
As soon as it became known that Austin had kept his hospital stay a secret for several days, political opponents called for Austin’s resignation. But Democrats also expressed criticism. Now, scores of Republicans are once again emphasizing that Austin cannot be kept in office. Republican Mike Rogers (65), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, launched an investigation into the events. “The Department is a robust institution designed to function under attack from our enemies, but it is not designed for a Minister who hides his inability to act,” he wrote.
Four Republican members of Congress who themselves served in the military wrote a letter to Biden. It is “dangerous, reckless and beyond worrying” that a defense minister does not adhere to protocol during an operation. “If he does not resign, he should be fired immediately.”
The White House did not want to go that far on Tuesday. Asked if Biden plans to keep Austin until the end of his term early next year, Kirby said: “Yes.” Biden now wishes him a speedy recovery. He said he has confidence in Austin’s ability to lead in the future because he has seen how well the secretary has led in the past. The Pentagon said Austin paid his expenses entirely from the hospital.
Austin continues to the clinic
It remained unclear when the minister would be released from hospital. Austin is making progress and “a full recovery” is expected, the treating clinic said. The infection has now disappeared. But this can be a long process. Regarding the diagnosis of prostate cancer, it was said that the disease was detected early and the prognosis for cure was “excellent.”
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men in the United States, after non-melanoma skin cancer. In the initial phase, the chances of recovery are generally good. The prostate (prostate gland) is a walnut-sized organ that surrounds the base of the urethra in men. (kes/SDA)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
