- Pentagon Sec. Lloyd Austin was admitted to Walter Reed Hospital on Sunday
- Austin immediately informed the White House of the visit after he faced backlash for failing to inform President Biden he was in the hospital last month
- Austin was hospitalized for prostate cancer surgery last month
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, 70, is back in the hospital for ‘symptoms suggesting an emergent bladder issue.’
Austin was transported to Walter Reed Medical center after the symptoms emerged Sunday afternoon.
After facing intense backlash for failing to immediately inform President Joe Biden of his surgery to treat prostate cancer last month, Austin was sure not to make the same mistake twice.
The Defense Department Secretary informed his deputy, Kathleen Hicks, Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff General Charles Brown, Jr., the White House and Congress of his hospitalization, according to Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder’s statement.
With Austin’s hospitalization on Sunday, Hicks is ‘prepared to assume the duties’ of secretary if needed. The DoD secretary, however, is retaining his powers for the time being, Maj. Gen. Ryder noted.
Laura Loomer said Austin should step down from his post after back-to-back health scares.
‘Time for him to resign,’ she posted to X on Sunday. ‘You can’t be sick and also be Defense Secretary.’
Writer and podcaster Jake Novak agreed, posting:
‘Lloyd Austin back in the hospital. President with dementia, chronically sick SecDef. This is the threat to our troops… but the big story is insulting Nikki Haley’s husband?!?’