The US Department of Defense will launch an independent investigation into two long-held secret hospitalizations of Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin, who is suffering from prostate cancer, according to an internal memo released Thursday.
“The objective of this review is to study the roles, processes, procedures, responsibilities and actions related to hospitalizations of the Minister of Defense between December 2023 and January 2024,” it is specified in the text.
Lloyd Austin, 70, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in early December. He had surgery on December 22, under general anesthesia, then hospitalized again from January 1 due to complications.
This diagnosis and these two hospitalizations were only communicated to the country’s senior authorities, starting with Democratic President Joe Biden, in recent days, which caused an outcry in the press and among Republicans, in the middle of an election year.
The Pentagon’s investigation, which will be led by an independent inspector general, is also expected to assess whether current procedures within the Department of Defense are “sufficient to ensure appropriate, timely notifications and effective transfer of authority in the event of illness.” or unavailability of senior officials,” according to the internal memo.
The controversy, very embarrassing for the head of state, comes at a time when the world’s leading military power is involved in several major conflicts, from Ukraine to the Middle East.
If the White House conceded that this situation was “not ideal”, the president maintained his “confidence” in his minister, according to his spokespersons.
However, the White House has also ordered a review of the rules applicable in the event of the incapacity of senior officials.
