Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s secret hospitalizations “unnecessarily” elevated America’s nationwide safety danger, in accordance with a brand new report from the Division of Protection Workplace of Inspector Basic (OIG).
The Pentagon watchdog’s scathing 188-page overview scrutinizes the secretary’s hospitalizations in December 2023, January 2024 and February 2024 and places the blame on Austin’s staff for communication lapses and failures to switch authority.
OIG famous the principle function Austin’s “robust need for privateness about his medical situation” performed within the breakdown of communications inside the Pentagon, in addition to between Protection Division and the White Home and Congress.
Neither Austin’s chief of workers nor Deputy Protection Secretary Kathleen Hicks knew of his most cancers prognosis or the process he underwent in December 2023. Actually, OIG notes that “practically all of his workers” have been unaware of Austin’s medical situation and coverings.
DR. MARC SIEGEL: PATIENT PRIVACY DOESN’T COVER LLOYD AUSTIN’S SECRET HOSPITALIZATION
Secretary of Protection Lloyd Austin pauses whereas talking throughout a media briefing on the Pentagon Nov. 17, 2021, in Washington, D.C. (AP Picture/Alex Brandon)
Proof additionally allegedly signifies that, on Jan. 1, 2024, when he was taken to Walter Reed Nationwide Navy Medical Middle for “extreme” ache, Austin requested the ambulance not use lights or sirens. Moreover, in accordance with the report, Austin instructed his private safety officer to not notify anybody concerning the incident.
“Nobody on Secretary Austin’s workers knew the seriousness of his situation, together with when his situation grew to become worse and he was transferred to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit on January 2,” OIG famous in its report.
On Jan. 3, 2024, Austin’s chief of workers, Kelly Magsamen, texted the secretary’s junior army assistant, who was within the hospital with the secretary on the time. In her message, Magsamen urged the secretary to be extra forthcoming about his situation.
“I want [Secretary Austin] have been a standard particular person however he’s the [Secretary of Defense]. Now we have an enormous institutional duty. He can’t simply go completely darkish on his workers. … Please cross to him that we are able to’t preserve his hospitalization a secret ceaselessly. It’s type of huge deal for him to be within the [SICU]. And I’m frightened sick,” Magsamen wrote, in accordance with the OIG report.
U.S. Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin testifies earlier than a Home Armed Companies Committee listening to about his failure to reveal his most cancers prognosis and subsequent hospitalizations on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Feb. 29, 2024. (Reuters/Evelyn Hockstein)
The OIG additionally discovered that on Feb. 11, 2024, when Austin was as soon as once more unexpectedly hospitalized, his authorities weren’t transferred “till a number of hours later.” In reference to this incident, the OIG famous that “given the seriousness of his situation,” Austin’s authorities ought to have been transferred “hours sooner than finally occurred.”
After its overview, the OIG gave the DOD 20 suggestions to “enhance processes” and suggested the division to behave on them promptly.
PENTAGON RELEASES SUMMARY OF AUSTIN HOSPITAL REVIEW
Inspector Basic Robert Storch mentioned in an announcement that “whereas the DoD has taken some essential steps to handle these considerations, further enhancements are required to make sure the DoD’s readiness, transparency, and the success of its mission. These enhancements are usually not simply an administrative necessity; they’re an operational and nationwide safety crucial.”
Finally, the report discovered that the Division of Protection lacked a “complete” plan for handing off duties within the occasion of the secretary’s absence.
After the report’s launch, a senior protection official admitted to reporters that Austin “made a mistake,” insisting “there was no scandal” and “there was no cowl up.” The official additionally famous that “at each second, both the Secretary of Protection or the Deputy Secretary of Protection was absolutely ready to help the president.”
Protection Secretary Lloyd J. Austin testifies throughout a Home Armed Companies Committee listening to about his current hospitalization and communication points with President Biden in Rayburn Constructing Feb. 29, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Name, Inc by way of Getty Photos)
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Austin acknowledged his workplace’s shortcomings in a February 2024 press convention shortly after the hospitalizations grew to become public.
“I wish to be crystal clear. We didn’t deal with this proper, and I didn’t deal with this proper,” Austin said at the time relating to his earlier hospitalization. “I ought to have instructed the president about my most cancers prognosis. I ought to have additionally instructed my staff and the American public, and I take full duty. I apologize to my teammates and to the American folks.”
Liz Friden contributed to this report.
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