U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who caused controversy for not reporting his hospitalization in time, is hospitalized again. The U.S. Department of Defense announced on the 11th that Secretary Austin had symptoms that appeared to be bladder problems, so Secret Service agents took him to Walter Reed Military Medical Center around 2:20 p.m.
The Department of Defense stated that Secretary Austin continues to perform the functions and duties of the Secretary and that the Deputy Secretary is prepared to act on his behalf if necessary. Secretary Austin brought confidential communication systems necessary for performing his duties to the hospital. Secretary Austin was hospitalized on the 1st of last month due to a urinary tract infection after undergoing surgery for prostate cancer last year, but caused controversy by belatedly informing President Joe Biden, the military commander-in-chief, of his hospitalization.
After being discharged from the hospital on the 15th of last month, he worked from home and returned to the Ministry of Defense on the 29th of last month but was still recovering due to leg pain.