Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s secret hospitalizations have been criticized in a new report from the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (OIG), which states that these incidents unnecessarily increased America’s national security risk. The 188-page review scrutinized Austin’s hospitalizations in December 2023, January 2024, and February 2024, attributing blame to communication lapses and failures to transfer authority within Austin’s team.
The report highlighted Austin’s strong desire for privacy regarding his medical condition as a key factor in the breakdown of communications within the Pentagon and with the White House and Congress. It was revealed that neither Austin’s chief of staff nor Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks were aware of his cancer diagnosis or medical procedures in December 2023.
Further details from the report indicate that on January 1, 2024, when Austin was taken to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for severe pain, he requested that the ambulance not use lights or sirens and instructed his security officer not to notify anyone about the incident. This lack of transparency continued as Austin’s condition worsened, leading to his transfer to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit on January 2 without his staff being informed.
Concerns were raised within Austin’s team about the secrecy surrounding his hospitalizations, with his chief of staff urging him to be more forthcoming about his condition. The OIG report also highlighted an incident on February 11, 2024, where Austin’s authorities were not transferred promptly during another hospitalization, emphasizing the need for improved processes.
Following the review, the OIG provided the Department of Defense with 20 recommendations to enhance procedures and urged prompt action. Inspector General Robert Storch emphasized the importance of these improvements for the DoD’s readiness, transparency, and national security imperatives.
The report concluded that the Department of Defense lacked a comprehensive plan for delegating duties in the secretary’s absence. Despite admitting to mistakes, a senior defense official clarified that there was no scandal or cover-up, emphasizing that the department remained prepared to support the president at all times.
