It is important to clarify whether the ministry's guidelines are sufficient to ensure that in the event of illness – as was the case with Lloyd Austin – responsibilities are clarified and notification chains work.
After severe criticism of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for keeping his hospital stay secret, the Pentagon launched an internal investigation. The department's inspectorate will begin reviewing Austin's actions related to the hospitalization later this month, the Pentagon said Thursday.
It must be clarified whether the ministry's guidance is sufficient to ensure that, in the event of illness, responsibilities are clarified and reporting chains function.
Austin announced on Tuesday that he had prostate cancer. According to the White House, US President Joe Biden only found out about the diagnosis a few hours before the public. According to Austin doctors, the disease was diagnosed in early December. Just before Christmas he had surgery. The complications occurred at the beginning of January, which is why the 70-year-old man is still hospitalized. The White House expressed clear criticism of the Pentagon chief's information policy and ordered that the procedures for such cases be reviewed. (APA/dpa)