“I should have told the president”: Austin apologizes for handling of his cancer diagnosis

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin apologized Thursday for failing to report his hospitalization in early January due to prostate cancer, admitting, “I should have told the president (Joe Biden).”

“I want to be very clear. We don’t handle this well. And I didn’t handle it well,” Austin acknowledged at a press conference at the Pentagon after returning this week to his usual activity as Secretary of Defense.

“I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis. I should have also told my team and the American public, and I take full responsibility. “I apologize to my teammates and the American people,” he added, as reported by The Hill.

However, the Pentagon chief said he never ordered his staff to keep the hospitalization at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland a secret.

The Secretary of Defense assured that there were no “gaps in authority” or “any risk to the command and control of the department” during his hospitalization. “At all times, either I or the undersecretary were in charge,” he said.

Regarding these latest statements, Austin took the opportunity to deny that he had offered his resignation at any time, despite the fact that several Republicans called for his resignation, considering that the Secretary of Defense endangered national security and failed in his duty.

“We have already implemented some new procedures to ensure that no failures or notifications occur in the future.”

Keep it private

Austin, it should be remembered, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in early December. Later, on December 22, he underwent surgery and was then hospitalized with a urinary tract infection on New Year’s Day.

“The news moved me and I know it moves many others, especially in the black community. “It was a punch in the gut,” Austin said. “And, frankly, my first instinct was to keep it private. I don’t think it’s anything new that he’s a pretty reserved guy. I never like to burden others with my problems. “It’s just not my way.”

Austin said he has learned that losing some privacy is part of the experience of taking these types of jobs.

“The American people have the right to know if their leaders are facing health problems that could affect their ability to perform their duties, even temporarily. Therefore, a wider circle should have been notified, especially the president,” he asserted.

The Secretary of Defense reported that he continues to have pain in his leg, but that he hopes to make a complete recovery soon.

“My leg will continue to show: it will improve. The doctors are confident that this will be the case,” she stated. “It will just take time.”

Keep reading:

– US Senate Armed Services Committee criticized lack of transparency about Lloyd Austin
– Trump calls for Lloyd Austin to be removed after failing to inform the White House that he was hospitalized
– Lloyd Austin discharged from hospital after prostate cancer operation