U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin Released From Hospital

The Pentagon announced today that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was released from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after being admitted on New Year’s Day, and hospitalized for two weeks.

Following a surgery for prostate cancer on December 22, Austin was hospitalized due to complications that included a urinary tract infection and a buildup of fluids in his small intestines.

In the press release, Dr. John Maddox stated, “Secretary Austin’s prostate cancer was treated early and effectively, and his prognosis is excellent. He has no planned further treatment for his cancer other than regular post-prostatectomy surveillance.”

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks took over for Austin temporarily during his hospitalization. It was reported that Hicks did not know of Austin being hospitalized for two days after she took over his duties.

Austin took responsibility for not disclosing his hospitalization, saying, “I recognize I could have done a better job ensuring the public was appropriately informed. I commit to doing better. But this is important to say: this was my medical procedure, and I take full responsibility for my decisions about disclosure.”