Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks during a Pentagon press briefing at the Pentagon on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024 in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
Share and Follow


WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is set to appear before Congress on Thursday to testify about why it took him so long to notify administration officials about his hospitalization and stay in the intensive care unit following complications from prostate cancer surgery.

The House Armed Services Committee hearing comes after several lawmakers have called for Austin’s resignation over the incident. The hearing is set to begin at 10 a.m. ET.

Austin, 70, underwent a medical procedure related to prostate cancer at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Dec. 22. He went home a day later and was admitted to intensive care Jan. 1 when he began experiencing severe pain.

Senior military officials and White House officials, including President Joe Biden, weren’t informed of his condition until several days later.

Earlier this month, Austin acknowledged communication mistakes and said he should’ve handled the incident better. He added his decision was more about privacy than secrecy.

The Pentagon released a review revealing there had been no deliberate attempt by Austin or his aides to keep the hospitalization secret. Additionally, the report noted policies for transferring Austin’s responsibilities during an emergency must be improved.

The review didn’t provide additional details on what was already known about the timeline of Austin’s hospitalization.

Thursday’s hearing will be the first time Austin has testified on Capitol Hill since last fall.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Application enables people to inform authorities about ICE sightings in their local area

(KTLA) – As immigration operations continue across the U.S., a new app…
Violent criminal gangs have 'near-total control' of world nation's capital, UN says

Violent criminal gangs have ‘near-total control’ of world nation’s capital, UN says

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Haiti’s criminal gangs have…
Charlize Theron, 49, details raunchy one-night stand with 26-year-old

Charlize Theron, 49, shares steamy encounter with 26-year-old

Charlize Theron revealed she’s currently having the ‘amazing’ sex at age 49.…
Utah lawyer sanctioned for court filing that used ChatGPT

Man sentenced to 164 years for kidnapping and raping teenager at Michael Jackson’s home.

Editor’s Note: This story contains discussions of rape or sexual assault that…
FDA issues urgent recall for blueberries over listeria concerns

FDA Urgently Recalls Blueberries Due to Listeria Concerns

The FDA has upgraded its warning about potentially deadly blueberries, indicating a…
Mum-of-one unrecognisable after losing 9 stone - she made one change

Mother of one undergoes dramatic transformation after shedding 9 stone with one simple change

A mother-of-one who once weighed over 18 stone has revealed how she…
Michael Madsen dead at 67: Kill Bill star passes away

Actor Michael Madsen, known for his role in Kill Bill, dies at the age of 67

Kill Bill and Reservoir Dogs icon Michael Madsen has died aged 67.…
Guardians' Luis Ortiz placed on leave over mysterious MLB investigation

MLB investigation puts Guardians’ Luis Ortiz on leave

MLB placed starting pitcher Luis Ortiz on leave less than 10 hours…