WASHINGTON — A report from the Pentagon’s inspector general has sharply criticized Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for neglecting to inform Congress or the White House about his incapacitation due to prostate cancer treatment and subsequent complications. This failure, the report states, may have created “unnecessary” security risks, even though it found ultimately that there were no “adverse consequences” from the communication lapses over a year ago.
The inspector general’s findings indicate that Austin kept his hospitalization private for several days, even withholding information from President Joe Biden. It suggested that his strong desire for privacy influenced his staff’s decision to avoid pressing for further updates regarding his health status. The released report, curated by inspector general Robert Storch, showcased text messages and communications revealing staff members’ concerns about who needed to know of the situation and noted varying recollections surrounding the events. There were no stunning revelations disclosed in the findings, which surfaced just days before Austin’s transition from his role and the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.
There were instances where Austin purportedly instructed his staff to keep his hospitalization confidential. However, he contested this assertion, claiming that he encouraged open communication and suggested that anyone with questions feel free to ask him directly, a stance that may have stifled further inquiry, according to the report. One security staff member noted that Austin explicitly mentioned, “We’re not notifying anybody,” leading to efforts to maintain the privacy of his medical issues without informing his chief of staff or other key personnel.
The report highlights that “Secretary Austin’s emphasis on privacy related to his medical situation was paired with a desire to minimize public attention.” In a communication on January 8, Austin expressed in a text to his chief of staff, “I don’t want my health to be a media circus.” When asked about the varying perspectives surrounding the communications, a senior defense official acknowledged the possibility of differing memories or interpretations of conversations, though the report did not provide a clear rationale for the timing of its release just before the administration changed.
Further text exchanges revealed that Kelly Magsamen, Austin’s chief of staff, expressed her frustration, indicating her wish that “(Secretary Austin) were a normal person” and emphasized the institutional responsibilities of his position. Magsamen urged that they could not keep Austin’s hospitalization under wraps indefinitely, highlighting the gravity of his situation in the ICU and the inquiries from White House and other officials regarding his whereabouts, which made her feel “uncomfortable.”
The inspector general concluded that while there were no significant consequences arising from how the hospitalizations were managed, the situation unnecessarily elevated the risks to national defense, particularly affecting the command and control of the Department of Defense’s vital operations. Austin had not notified either Congress or the White House about his initial treatment for prostate cancer in December 2023, nor did he inform them of his deteriorating health on January 1, 2024, when he was taken to Walter Reed Army National Military Medical Center.
The findings align with criticisms made in an internal review conducted shortly after Austin was admitted to the hospital, which exonerated individuals involved and indicated “no indication of ill intent or an attempt to obfuscate” details surrounding his hospitalization. While Austin designated Deputy Secretary Kathleen Hicks to make decisions during his surgery and time in intensive care, he failed to provide clarification on his condition and did not notify the White House about the situation.
This incident sparked outrage from the White House and frustration among Congressional members, resulting in a hearing where Austin was met with bipartisan criticism and calls for accountability. After resuming his duties, Austin accepted responsibility during a press conference, stating that he never intended for his hospitalization details to remain from the White House and admitted he should have conducted the situation more transparently while apologizing for the oversight affecting Biden and others.
Austin faced prostate cancer in early December 2023 and underwent surgery on December 22. He was readmitted on January 1 due to severe pain and transferred to the ICU the following day.
While Pentagon officials confirmed that public affairs and defense aides learned of Austin’s hospitalization on January 2, they failed to release this information publicly or inform military leaders or the National Security Council until January 4, a full four days post his hospitalization. The internal review suggested changes to procedures aimed at enhancing communication and preventing recurrence of similar issues, and the White House has since updated federal guidelines in response to this infrastructure breakdown.
