Defense Secretary Austin Hospitalized, Pentagon Says Days Later
- Pentagon didn’t announce secretary’s whereabouts for four days
- Former Army general prizes privacy while leading US military
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US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was hospitalized because of “complications following a recent elective medical procedure,” the Pentagon said Friday evening — four days after he was admitted and without providing further detail.
“He is recovering well and is expecting to resume his full duties today,” the department said in a statement. The statement said Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks was prepared to exercise the secretary’s powers at all times “if required” during Austin’s hospitalization.