Joe Biden Supports Lloyd Austin; He Still Trusts the Pentagon Chief

Joe Biden, the President of the United States, said on Friday that despite Lloyd Austin, the Secretary of Defense, not informing him about his hospitalization last week, he still trusts the Pentagon chief. Mr. Biden, who traveled to Pennsylvania on Friday, expressed his disappointment regarding Austin's secrecy about his health condition while emphasizing his continued confidence in Austin's leadership at the Department of Defense. Meanwhile, Pat Ryder, the spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, reported on Friday that Lloyd Austin is still hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and is in good condition. He added, 'Mr. Austin is in contact with his senior staff and, with access to necessary communication capabilities, is overseeing the daily operations of the Department of Defense worldwide, actively engaging in monitoring and directing the U.S. military's involvement in multinational attacks against military targets in Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, and issued orders for the attacks to U.S. Central Command at the President's direction.' The U.S. Department of Defense spokesperson also stated that no specific date has been announced for the Secretary of Defense's discharge from the hospital. Mr. Austin, who is Biden's Secretary of Defense, was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on December 22 for surgery to treat cancer. He developed an infection a week later and was transferred to the intensive care unit on January 1. Lloyd Austin, 70, who underwent prostate cancer surgery last week, remains hospitalized. His secrecy regarding his hospitalization has faced severe criticism from members of both political parties in the United States, with some calling for his resignation. Biden and senior government officials were unaware of the Secretary of Defense's cancer diagnosis and hospitalization until January 4. According to The Hill and a statement from the medical team, Austin's cancer was diagnosed in early December. The Hill reports that Lloyd Austin was under general anesthesia during the surgery, but according to doctors, he returned home the next morning in suitable condition. However, the Secretary of Defense was readmitted a few days later on January 1 due to complications from the surgery and a urinary tract infection, 'including nausea accompanied by severe abdominal, pelvic, and leg pain.' The Secretary of Defense was then transferred to the intensive care unit on January 2 due to 'small bowel dysfunction.' Subsequently, doctors decided to place a tube in Austin's nose to drain his stomach and ultimately resolve the infection. Doctors state, 'His health is improving, and we expect a full recovery, although this process may be slow.' The Pentagon revealed the reason for Austin's hospitalization: complications from prostate surgery and a urinary infection.