The Pentagon’s story about Secretary of Protection Lloyd Austin’s secret hospital keep is getting worse the extra Austin’s spokesman says about it. New statements on Sunday by Pentagon Press Secretary Main Normal Pat Ryder try to elucidate the how of Austin’s sickness and secrecy however not the why. Extremely Ryder blames the failure to inform Joe Biden and the White Home till Thursday on Austin’s chief of workers Kelly Magsamen taking in poor health. Additionally, Ryder says Austin, who stays at Walter Reed Nationwide Army Medical Middle in Bethesda, Maryland, overstayed his time within the ICU due to area and privateness issues. In different phrases, Austin took an ICU mattress he not wanted in order to maintain his situation secret. Austin refuses to reveal the character of his sickness or why he saved it secret, besides that it adopted an elective medical process.
Ryder gave no estimate on when the 70-year-old Austin could also be launched or whether or not Austin was taken by ambulance when he took in poor health on New 12 months’s Day.
As secretary of Protection, Austin is sixth in line of succession to the presidency (VP, Home Speaker, Senate Professional Tempore, Secretaries of State, Treasury, Protection…)
Earlier Sunday, Ryder issued a bland press launch on Austin:
Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder offered the next assertion:
Secretary of Protection Lloyd J. Austin III stays hospitalized at Walter Reed Nationwide Army Medical Middle however is recovering properly and in good spirits.
Since resuming his duties on Friday night, the Secretary has obtained operational updates and has offered needed steering to his workforce. He has full entry to required safe communications capabilities and continues to observe DoD’s day-to-day operations worldwide.
The Secretary spoke to President Biden yesterday. He has additionally been in touch with Deputy Secretary of Protection Kathleen Hicks, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Employees Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. and his senior workers.
Whereas we shouldn’t have a selected date for his launch presently, we are going to proceed to supply updates on the Secretary’s standing as they grow to be obtainable.
Sunday night Ryder issued a press release to reporters with extra particulars on the how , however not the why, that raises extra questions and outrage.
Reporters posted varied takes on Ryder’s assertion:
ABC Information’ Luis Martinez, “1/3“On Friday, December 22, Secretary of Protection Lloyd J. Austin III underwent an elective medical process at Walter Reed Nationwide Army Medical Middle. He was on depart on the time. He returned dwelling on Saturday, December 23,” @PentagonPressSec tells @jparkABC…2/3″On the night of January 1, he started experiencing extreme ache and was transported to Walter Reed Nationwide Army Medical Middle the place he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit,” Ryder advised ABC…3/3 “For privateness causes, we’re not in a position to present further data. He was positioned within the hospital’s intensive care unit to make sure rapid entry to as a consequence of his medical wants, however then remained in that location partially as a consequence of hospital area issues and privateness.”
1/3“On Friday, December 22, Secretary of Protection Lloyd J. Austin III underwent an elective medical process at Walter Reed Nationwide Army Medical Middle. He was on depart on the time. He returned dwelling on Saturday, December 23,” @PentagonPressSec tells@jparkABC
— luis martinez (@LMartinezABC) January 7, 2024
3/3 “For privateness causes, we’re not in a position to present further data. He was positioned within the hospital’s intensive care unit to make sure rapid entry to as a consequence of his medical wants, however then remained in that location partially as a consequence of hospital area issues and privateness,”
— luis martinez (@LMartinezABC) January 7, 2024
CBS Information’ Eleanor Watson, “New particulars on Protection Secretary Austin’s hospitalization, per @PentagonPresSec:- Dec 22 – Austin had an elective medical process at Walter Reed. – Dec 23 – he returned home- Jan 1 – he started experiencing extreme ache, was transported to Walter Reed and admitted to ICU…He was admitted to the ICU for each his medical wants and privateness. The delay in notifying the White Home and the deputy secretary is as a result of Austin’s chief of workers had an sickness.”
He was admitted to the ICU for each his medical wants and privateness. The delay in notifying the White Home and the deputy secretary is as a result of Austin’s chief of workers had an sickness.
— Eleanor Watson (@ellee_watson) January 7, 2024
Timeline on who was advised and when:
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Employees Normal Charles Q. Brown Jr. was advised Tuesday, the day after Austin went to Walter Reed. Brown apparently didn’t inform Biden or anybody.
Deputy Secretary Kathleen Hicks carried out a few of Austin’s duties whereas on trip in Puerto Rico however she was not knowledgeable till Thursday he was within the hospital.
Joe Biden and the White Home, together with Nationwide Safety Advisor Jake Sullivan weren’t advised till Thursday.
Congress was not knowledgeable till Friday, simply fifteen minutes earlier than the Pentagon issued a press launch.
Senior navy and civilian officers on the Pentagon obtained an e mail from Austin’s chief of workers Friday afternoon, two hours earlier than the press launch was issued.
Some Pentagon officers weren’t advised in any respect and realized about Austin’s sickness from press reviews Friday night time.
Different Pentagon officers have been lied to by Austin’s workers over the week, being advised he was working at dwelling, reported Politico (excerpt):
“However Austin’s hospitalization was a carefully guarded secret, saved from even senior Pentagon officers and congressional leaders till simply earlier than the general public assertion, based on 9 DOD officers and two congressional aides. Some Pentagon officers solely realized of Austin’s scenario via Ryder’s information launch. One of many DOD officers mentioned their workplace was advised by Austin’s aides that the secretary was working from dwelling for the week.”
Earlier TGP reviews on Austin’s secret hospital keep:
DEVELOPING: Lloyd Austin Well being Scare Extra Dire Than Pentagon Admits
