UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 9, 2024 · 1:41:21 AM +00:00
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Irontortoise
Some additional details from NY Magazine’s Intelligencer:
According to [Pentagon Press Secretary] Ryder, one reason for the delayed notification was that Austin’s chief of staff, Kelly Magsamen, was also ill and not able to tell senior officials about Austin’s illness until January 4…
Though many at the White House are reportedly befuddled by Austin’s poor judgement regarding the matter, President Biden remains in the retired general’s corner and Secretary of State Antony Blinken has spoken out in support of Austin. Four senior Biden administration officials have told Politico that the president isn’t even considering getting rid of Austin, and also would not accept his resignation, should he offer it…
Politico reports that Austin may not lose his job, but someone else might:
[S]ome officials speculated a senior aide at the Pentagon is likely to lose their job over the brouhaha. “Someone’s head has to roll,” said a DOD official. “Not telling the [White House], Congress or the media he is sick, and then telling Pentagon staff he is working from home is next level. This is a problem,” said one former senior DOD official. “Someone made the decision not to disclose. That person will likely be gone shortly.”
So apparently Austin’s job is relatively safe, at least for now, but someone at the Pentagon will likely end up as the sacrificial scapegoat in this mess.
Though reported on the BBC and Morning Joe today this doesn’t seem to have made it to the Front Page here yet, but looks to become an increasingly important story over the next few days:
Criticism of US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin is growing, after it emerged his deputy was unaware that he was in hospital despite assuming some of his responsibilities.
Kathleen Hicks was not informed until 4 January that Mr Austin was in intensive care, four days after he entered hospital, US media reported.
Mr Austin, 70, resumed his full duties on Friday evening, the Pentagon said.
But questions are swirling around the secrecy of his medical situation…
For three days, senior defence officials and even the White House were not aware of Mr Austin's hospital visit.
On Sunday, a Pentagon spokesman revealed Mr Austin had undergone an elective medical procedure on 22 December and returned home the next day.
But he began experiencing "severe pain" on the evening of 1 January and was admitted to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington DC, Air Force Maj Gen Pat Ryder said.
Mr Ryder added that the defence secretary's medical needs required a stay in the intensive care unit and he "then remained in that location in part due to hospital space considerations and privacy".
Even as he assumes his full duties, Mr Austin is believed to still be at Walter Reed and officials have not disclosed when he will be discharged…
In a statement on Saturday, he said: "I am very glad to be on the mend and look forward to returning to the Pentagon soon.
"I recognize I could have done a better job ensuring the public was appropriately informed. I commit to doing better," he added.
Needless to say, some of the usual suspects are already calling for Austin’s resignation over this, but he clearly has some serious ‘splaining to do — talk about a failure to communicate!