For some, the start of the year sounds like a false note. While rumors about his state of health had proliferated for several days, Lloyd Austin admitted on Friday January 5 to being hospitalized… since January 1. A late communication which placed the American Secretary of State for Defense and his entourage under fire from criticism.
At the genesis of this political-media imbroglio, a “flu” which would have confined his chief of staff Kelly Mas to bed, thus making any notification procedure on the state of health of the minister impossible. His assistant Kathleen Hicks was only informed Thursday evening, more than 48 hours after his hospitalization. However, certain powers would have been transferred to the number two at the Pentagon as of Tuesday, January 2.
Just as surprising, Congress was only informed on the 5th, the day the Pentagon press release was released. “It is shocking and absolutely unacceptable that the Department of Defense waited several days to inform the president, the National Security Council and the American people,” says Elise Stefanik, a Republican elected to the House of Representatives.
For the Republicans, an attempt at concealment
As a good soldier, this four-star general learned to live in the cult of discretion. Even if it means taking hits. “I recognize that I could have done a better job of ensuring that the public was informed appropriately,” Lloyd Austin conceded in a statement, assuring that he took “full responsibility for my decisions regarding disclosure.” But the person concerned’s mea culpa is not enough to put out the fire.
The controversy quickly swelled and the opposition stepped up to the plate. Chief among them is the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Senator Roger Wicker accuses the administration of undermining public confidence. “When one of the nation’s two national command authorities is unable to perform their duties, military families, members of Congress and the American public deserve to know the full extent of the circumstances.”
An episode in two parts
Especially given the hot geopolitical context, the “circumstances” deserve to be exhumed. It all starts Friday December 22. The Secretary of Defense who celebrated his 70th birthday in 2023 is admitted for the first time, and with the greatest discretion, to Walter Reed hospital. There are only twenty-four hours left. A “benign” operation, the nature of which has not been specified. Apparently, nothing serious. But a few days later, Lloyd Austin was struck by “severe pain”.
Thus, to the rhythm of the messages “Happy New Year, Good Health”, Lloyd Austin returns to Walter Reed on Monday, January 1. In intensive care this time, where he remains for five days. Five days of radio silence. No press release. No media appearance. Usually very active on X (formerly Twitter), his account has been frozen since December 30. Date of his last tweet. In short, the Secretary of State for Defense has completely disappeared from the radar screens.
Bad timing
But at a time when the United States plays a key role in the conflicts in Israel and Ukraine, this “sick leave” does not work. And in addition to the opposition elected officials who are firing on all cylinders, many observers accuse the Biden administration of endangering the interests of the nation.
“At a time when threats against U.S. military service members in the Middle East are intensifying […] “It is particularly crucial that the American public be informed of the health and decision-making capacity of its top defense executive,” warns the Pentagon Press Association in a letter to officials of the institution Friday evening.
Almost identical charge on the side of Military Reporters and Editors (MRE), a non-profit organization bringing together journalists covering the American armed forces. “This constitutes a violation of the intent and spirit of the Pentagon Information Principles, and fails to meet public disclosure standards for senior government officials unable to perform their duties.”
Despite the criticism, the White House has decided to ignore the multiple calls for the resignation of the number 1 of the Pentagon. The president remains “completely confident” in his minister, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre told the press. Confident in the idea that one controversy chases another.