Lloyd Austin, the US Secretary of Defense, currently battling prostate cancer, delegated his responsibilities to Deputy Secretary Kathleen Hicks after being rushed to the hospital for an “urgent bladder issue,” a Pentagon spokesperson announced on Sunday.
The transfer of duties occurred just before 5:00 pm (22:00 GMT), as stated by Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder, who also mentioned that Secretary Austin is receiving treatment and that the White House has been informed.
Austin, recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and having undergone surgery, was transported to a military medical center outside Washington. He had previously taken breaks from public appearances in late December and early January due to complications in his cancer treatment, initially keeping both the diagnosis and treatment hidden from President Joe Biden and the rest of the government.
This time, the public was notified about two hours after Austin was taken to the hospital on Sunday afternoon.
Ryder initially indicated that Austin was maintaining “the functions and duties of his position.” However, the announcement that Hicks would assume the role came just a few hours later.
The Defense Secretary apologized earlier this month after facing harsh criticism for keeping previous hospitalizations secret. “I should have informed the president of my cancer diagnosis,” he stated on February 1, mentioning ongoing recovery, leg pain, and the use of a golf cart within the Pentagon.
These undisclosed absences, along with the current hospital stay, come at a time when the US is grappling with escalating crises in the Middle East. American forces in Iraq and Syria are facing almost daily attacks from Iran-backed fighters in retaliation for Washington’s strong support of Israel.
Austin is a key figure in the Biden administration’s efforts to maintain support for Ukraine in its struggle against the Russian invasion, particularly as Republican lawmakers refuse to authorize new funds for military aid to Kiev.
While some Republican legislators have previously called for Austin’s removal, Biden, acknowledging the Defense Secretary’s lapse in judgment, has expressed continued confidence in him.
Standing at an imposing height of over 6 feet, Austin is known for his reserved nature and avoidance of media attention, which influenced his decision to keep the cancer diagnosis private. However, he acknowledged that “accepting this kind of job means giving up some of the privacy most of us expect.”
“The American people have a right to know if their leaders are dealing with health issues that might affect their ability to perform their duties, even if only temporarily,” he added.