WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary ‘s failure to inform Congress or the White House as required when he was incapacitated due to treatment for prostate cancer and later complications potentially raised “unnecessary” security risks, the Pentagon’s watchdog concluded in a highly critical report released Wednesday.
Lloyd AustinThe inspector general’s report concluded there were no “adverse consequences” resulting from the poor communications about his condition a year ago. But it faulted Austin for keeping , even from President Joe Biden, and found that his strong desire for privacy likely influenced his staff in deciding not to prod further into his condition.
his hospitalization secret for daysThe report released by inspector general Robert Storch describes text messages and calls showing staff concerns about the situation and who could be notified, and it noted conflicting recollections of events. But no bombshells about the stunning lapse emerged in the findings revealed just four days before Austin leaves the job and President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
In several instances, staff said Austin told them to keep his hospitalization quiet. But Austin said he did not. In one example, he directed a staff aide that if anyone had questions, “you’re more than welcome to ask (me) directly” — likely chilling further inquiry, the report said.
And one of his security staff said Austin stated, “We’re not notifying anybody,” so they kept the medical problems as “private as possible” and did not notify Austin’s chief of staff or others.
