"Revelations and Outrage Surround Sec. Austin's Delayed Hospitalization Disclosure"

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was hospitalized with a serious condition and transferred his authorities to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks without informing her of his hospitalization. Hicks, on vacation in Puerto Rico, was equipped to perform her duties remotely but only learned of Austin's condition two days later. Despite this, she managed to handle routine department decisions and was prepared to support President Biden as required by law. During this period, a Pentagon-authorized drone strike in Iraq took place, which Austin was tracking from the hospital.