The Pentagon inspector normal present in its evaluate of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s hospitalization final yr that it “elevated unnecessarily” the dangers to nationwide safety, even when in the end, there have been no quick penalties.
“Although we discovered no opposed penalties to Defense Department operations arising from how the hospitalizations we reviewed have been dealt with, the dangers to our nationwide protection, together with the command and management of the Defense Department’s vital nationwide safety operations, have been elevated unnecessarily,” Inspector General Robert Storch mentioned in a press release.
Austin was hospitalized for 2 weeks at the beginning of 2024 for problems associated to surgical procedure to deal with prostate most cancers. The Pentagon faced sharp criticism for ready a number of days to tell the White House that Austin was within the hospital — and at one level, within the intensive care unit.
The report states that through the course of his hospitalization, Austin transferred authority of a few of his duties to his deputy Secretary of Defense from Jan. 2 to five, however neither of them notified Congress or the White House Situation Room in a “well timed method” as required.
The report discovered that Austin didn’t take into account transferring authorities whereas he was present process medical procedures on Jan. 6 and eight that required average sedation. The inspector normal discovered no proof that Austin instructed the deputy Secretary or his chief of workers he was present process the procedures. According to the evaluate, Austin had texted his chief of workers that he didn’t need his medical situation to develop into “a media circus.”
Austin instructed the Inspector General investigators he instructed his medical doctors he must notify his superiors if he underwent normal anesthesia. He signed varieties acknowledging average sedation however mentioned he wanted to stay useful as “that was the mandate … and I’m assured that that occurred .” He mentioned that his medical doctors met his “requirement to stay … useful.”
Nevertheless, the inspector normal in its 20 suggestions mentioned the Defense Department ought to additional outline what’s “medically incapacitated,” and the phrase, “unable to carry out the features and duties.” Other suggestions embrace increasing the scope of who’s required to report the hospitalization of Secretaries of Defense or senior Pentagon officers.
The inspector general announced last year it could provoke a evaluate to: “look at the roles, processes, procedures, tasks, and actions associated to the Secretary of Defense’s hospitalization in December 2023 – January 2024, and assess whether or not the DoD’s insurance policies and procedures are ample to make sure well timed and applicable notifications and the efficient transition of authorities as could also be warranted resulting from health-based or different unavailability of senior management.”
The evaluate discovered that Austin’s intense privateness affected the course of occasions. It says that not solely did Austin not inform his senior workers members of his medical situation or appointments, “he particularly instructed one junior workers member ‘if anybody had any questions they’re greater than welcome to ask [me] immediately.'”
After he returned to work on the Pentagon following his hospitalization, Austin apologized for not telling President Biden or the general public about when and why he had been hospitalized.
“We didn’t deal with this proper, and I didn’t deal with this proper,” Austin mentioned. “I ought to have instructed the president about my most cancers prognosis. I ought to have additionally instructed my workforce and the American public. And I take full duty. I apologize to my teammates and to the American individuals.”
CBS News obtained the audio of the 911 name during which an aide requested the operator if the ambulance headed to Austin’s residence may very well be discreet.
“Can I ask that, can the ambulance not present up with lights and sirens? We’re making an attempt to stay slightly refined,” the caller is heard saying.
A separate evaluate by the Pentagon launched final yr concluded that there was no deliberate ailing intent by Austin or his aides to maintain the hospitalization secret however did acknowledge the insurance policies for transferring the tasks of the secretary must be improved.
Austin instructed David Martin throughout a CBS Sunday Morning interview that he’s now cancer-free.
“I thank God for that,” Austin mentioned.
The report comes as Austin prepares to depart his put up when President-elect Donald Trump takes workplace.
