What's wrong with the health of the head of the Pentagon: Lloyd Austin promises to return to work soon

What's wrong with the health of Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin/Photo Getty Images

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's health is causing concern. The Pentagon refrains from specifics, and Congress and the media demand transparency.

Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, a Pentagon spokesman, updated the condition of Lloyd Austin at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. According to him, Austin has access to communications and controls the activities of the US Department of Defense.

Austin's health and communication failure

It is important that as of January 8th it is unknown when exactly Austin, who was hospitalized a week ago, will be discharged from the hospital. Members of the US Congress express dissatisfaction with the lack of information about the minister’s condition and the circumstances of his hospitalization.

The fact that the Pentagon has not been reported Austin's hospitalization to, among others, President Joe Biden, the National Security Council and senior Pentagon officials, reveals a stunning lack of transparency about his illness, how serious it is, and when he might recover, the Associated Press noted.

According to the same media, Austin underwent a certain medical procedure on December 22, but was hospitalized on January 1 due to severe pain. President Biden was not informed of this until January 4th.

“It was a warm conversation. President Biden wished him a speedy recovery and said he looked forward to return of the minister to the Pentagon”,” reported the international publication NBC News, citing its own sources.

We add that on January 7, Lloyd Austin reported that that he has recovered and is looking forward to returning to his duties as Minister of Defense. At the same time, the official admitted that he could better inform the public about his health problems. He promised to improve.

Reputable American publications state that such secrecy in communications contradicts generally accepted democratic norms established in the United States of America.