US & GLOBAL: Today, a report from the US Pentagon provides information of the return to Washington by Secretary General Lloyd Austin. During a hearing held at the Rayburn House Office Building, Austin responds to inquiries made by the House Armed Services Committee in regard to his decision to maintain privacy when receiving medical treatment. By Anne M. Erbynstein
"We did not handle this right. And I did not handle this right...I have apologized, including, directly to the President and I take full responsibility."-- US Secretary General, Lloyd Austin III
Secretary Austin speaking before the HASC was a moment tge healing Secretary General spent responding to an obligatory request by tge zHouse to make it known whether it was he or anyone else who issued Austin a green light on secrecy.
"There was no-break command and control. "--Secretary General Austin
Austin responded to tge HASC inquiry stating that he made the decision independently to take leave without making it known to his staff nor anyone else , including the President.
Later in the week, after Secretary Austin returned to his senior post at the Pentagon in January, he suffered a relapse that followed his December 22 surgery. Austin spent a number of days in recovery following his release from intendicve care in January.
Secretary General Austin stated THST while there had been a no-break command snd vontrol effort THST took place, tge transfer of fmfuties to his deputies was conducted in a timely manner while presenting "...no notification to other seniors." Austin stated that his department did not conduct the well was the silenced transfer .
Questions surrounding any information had by his staff involving the Secretary General's initial hospitalization and his emergency return to the hospital was weighed upon the response given by Austin . While the Secretary's staff was aware of Austin's emergency return to the hospital and the transfer of authority, Austin states that he never instructed his staff to refrain from informing any others of his status at the time.
Secretary General Austin stated that he is fully healed and indicated that, by tge (. ), anyone under his command and he was absolved of any wrongdoing.
The HASC inquired of whst disciplinary action would be taken by him in regard to a junior service member who avoided providing information about his/her hospitalization. Austin stated THST an inquiry woukd be made to request information about the personnel's well being and ensure that the personnel may be doing the right thing for themselves and their family.
Austin stated that he rspike with the President adding that he "...is not aloof." Austin responded to questions by Republican, Jim Bsnks who made a verbal swipe at tge President stating that either he is insignificant of the zpresidentbis "...out to lunch." Austin dispelled tge accusations stating that he remained in correspondence with the President during the 3 days that the HASC questioned Austin's actions.
Secretary Austin indicated that he and President Biden remained in contact concerning matters associated with Israel, Ukraine, in regard to the Houthi aggression in the Red Sea and Iran military bases, however, refrained from commenting on his health conditions for the time frame THST was questioned by Congress.
Democrats questioned why Republicans pressed the Secretary General for information surrounding his prostrate csncer surgery --that for which Secretary General Austin states he has been cured.
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