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Series of Errors Left Biden in Dark About Austin for Four Days
- Austin didn’t tell anyone to notify White House, person says
- Chief of staff was ill at the same time, adding to confusion
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The Pentagon’s failure to notify President Joe Biden that his defense secretary had been hospitalized for four days was the result of a series of errors, including confusion over Lloyd Austin’s wishes and his chief of staff falling ill, people familiar with the matter said.
Austin’s team understands that its handling of his illness — especially the failure to notify the White House and Congress — was unacceptable and can’t happen again, said one of the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private deliberations. Austin has no plans to resign, the people said.