Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III was admitted to the critical care unit at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for supportive care and close monitoring due to symptoms suggesting an emergent bladder issue. His cancer prognosis remains excellent, and updates on his condition will be provided as soon as possible.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III was taken to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for symptoms of a potential bladder issue and is currently receiving treatment. Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks has assumed his duties, and updates on his condition will be provided as available.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III expresses gratitude for the care received at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, thanks the medical staff, and acknowledges well wishes for a speedy recovery as he continues to recuperate and perform duties from home, aiming to return to the Pentagon as soon as possible.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III is facing scrutiny for not immediately disclosing his recent prostate cancer diagnosis and hospitalization, a breach of protocol for which he has apologized. Mental health experts note that keeping serious illnesses private is a common coping mechanism, particularly in the early days following a diagnosis when patients are overwhelmed with new information. Privacy can be a way for individuals to manage their emotions and process the news before sharing it with others.
The White House has ordered a review of procedures for delegating authority after Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III was hospitalized without informing President Biden or his staff. The directive from the White House chief of staff reflects concerns about the lack of transparency and communication regarding the health issues of a top defense official. Despite calls for his firing, President Biden has indicated that he does not plan to dismiss Mr. Austin, who has resumed his duties from the hospital. The Defense Department has also initiated a 30-day review of the incident and its procedures.
The Israeli military has continued its bombardment of the Gaza Strip, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing to keep fighting despite concerns over civilian casualties and accidental killings of hostages. The United States defense secretary, Lloyd J. Austin III, is traveling to the Middle East to urge Israel to scale back its military campaign, while the foreign secretaries of Britain and Germany have called for a "sustainable" cease-fire. American officials envision a new phase of fighting involving smaller groups of elite forces conducting intelligence-driven missions to target Hamas leaders, rescue hostages, and destroy tunnels.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant to express his support for Israel's efforts against Hamas and to receive updates on operations in Gaza. He emphasized the importance of protecting civilians and increasing humanitarian aid, while also condemning the actions of Lebanese Hizballah and calling for calm along the blue line.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Egyptian Minister of Defense General Zaki to discuss enhancing security in the Middle East after the recent Hamas attack on Israel. They discussed Egypt's role in facilitating aid delivery and the safe evacuation of U.S. citizens from Gaza, as well as the importance of civilian protection. Secretary Austin expressed support for Israel's right to self-defense, emphasized deterring conflict escalation, and highlighted U.S. readiness to defend against Iran-sponsored attacks on American personnel.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant to discuss Israel's operations in Gaza, reaffirming the U.S. commitment to Israel's right to defend itself and the importance of protecting civilians and providing humanitarian aid. He also emphasized the U.S. commitment to deter any escalation of the conflict by state or non-state actors.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III expresses his condolences to the families affected by the recent attacks in Israel and reaffirms the United States' commitment to Israel's right to self-defense. The Department of Defense will provide necessary support to ensure Israel's ability to protect its citizens from indiscriminate violence and terrorism.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Defense Ministers from Canada, France, Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom to discuss the situation in Russia. The United States will stay in close coordination with Allies and partners as the situation continues to develop. Secretary Austin also reiterated that support by the United States for Ukraine will not change.
On the 79th anniversary of D-Day, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Army Gen. Mark A. Milley called on citizens to defend democracy. They spoke at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in France, where over 9,000 service members are buried. Austin and Milley saluted the veterans of World War II and reminded everyone that democracy is still worth defending. They also pointed out that democracy is under attack and that it is up to the living to ensure that the sacrifices of those who fought for democracy were not in vain.
The US Defense Department has announced that Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has implemented the first of the recommendations by the Suicide Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee (SPRIRC) to address and prevent suicide in the military. Austin has directed the implementation of 10 of the SPRIRC's recommendations, including expediting the hiring process for behavioral health professionals and expanding the availability of behavioral health care. The undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness will establish a Suicide Prevention Implementation Working Group to assess the advisability and feasibility of implementing each of the remaining recommendations.