In a shocking turn of events, the White House and the Defense Department were left in the dark for several days regarding Defense Secretary Austin's hospitalization. The Department of Defense claimed that the delay in informing President Biden and the National Security Council was due to Austin's chief of staff being ill with the flu. However, this justification has been met with skepticism and criticism.
Senator Tom Cotton, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed his disbelief at the Pentagon's response, calling it 'preposterous.' He argued that the Secretary of Defense has a team of aides, including a senior military aide, who should have maintained constant communication with the White House and the National Security Council. Senator Cotton raised concerns about the transparency of the administration, wondering if they would conceal important information about President Biden's health.
The Senator pointed out the troubling questions raised by this situation. Was it worse that Secretary Austin was hospitalized for four days without the President's knowledge, or that the President and the White House failed to notice? Senator Cotton questioned President Biden's competence and whether he is truly in charge at the White House. He emphasized the urgency to obtain answers about the procedure Austin underwent, why it was chosen at this time, and why the President and Congress were not informed.
Acknowledging the update that Secretary Austin's health has improved and he has been moved out of the ICU, Senator Cotton dismissed the notion that this incident was a matter of process and procedure. Instead, he argued that it was a matter of judgment. The Secretary of Defense and his team should have exercised better judgment and informed the appropriate authorities about the surgery and potential risks.
Senator Cotton raised concerns about the implications of poor judgment in such a critical position, particularly in matters such as the withdrawal from Afghanistan, support for Israel, and deterring China from attacking Taiwan. He called for accountability and suggested that someone, potentially Secretary Austin or his chief of staff, should resign.
The breakdown in communication within the Department of Defense and between the department and the White House is deeply troubling. The Secretary of Defense, a vital link in the chain of command, must always be reachable, and their condition and whereabouts should be known to the commander in chief at all times. This incident raises serious questions about President Biden's leadership and ability to effectively manage his administration.
As this story continues to unfold, the American public and Congress are demanding answers and a full account of what transpired. The focus now rests on holding those responsible accountable for this alarming breakdown in communication and judgment.
