Following U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s delayed notification of his recent hospitalization to government officials, questions have been raised about whether the top Department of Defense official violated any laws or regulations that warrant disciplinary actions.
Austin, 70, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in December and has been undergoing treatment. He developed complications from a minimally invasive procedure to treat it and was admitted to a hospital on Jan. 1. He is the nation’s first Black secretary of defense.
He ended up in the intensive care unit at Walter Reed National Military Center and remained hospitalized until Tuesday, according to NBC News. Top White House officials, including President Joe Biden, didn’t learn about his hospitalization until three days later, an issue that many GOP members of Congress have used to criticize the Biden administration.
Various U.S. laws govern reporting requirements to Congress and government officials, especially in matters concerning defense, intelligence, or security.
The Pentagon’s inspector general, Robert P. Storch, announced an investigation Thursday into the handling of Austin’s prolonged hospitalization, including the failure to promptly disclose it to President Biden and Congress. The inquiry will assess roles, processes, procedures, responsibilities, and actions associated with the hospitalization.
Austin may have breached the law by not reporting his recent hospitalization to officials, potentially violating a U.S. law on “reporting of vacancies,” legal experts said. Some lawmakers have suggested that Austin resign or be replaced by someone who can perform his duties more effectively.
Legal experts told Reuters he might face a reprimand from Biden, but the law lacks specific penalties for such lapses. Still, White House officials said Biden still has “complete confidence” in Austin. As of Thursday, Austin remains in the hospital “but…
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