Pentagon’s 2nd-In-Command Was Not Informed Of Secretary’s Hospitalization

Defense Deputy Secretary Kathleen Hicks only learned of Secretary Lloyd Austin's hospitalization days after she was told to assume some of his duties.

The Pentagon’s second-in-command did not know that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was being hospitalized when she began assuming some of his duties last week, raising more questions about the stunning lack of transparency in the four-star Army general’s status.

On Friday, the Pentagon revealed to the public that Austin had been hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center since Monday due to complications following a minor elective medical procedure. The announcement came almost immediately after notifying Congress, and only hours after Austin’s chief of staff reportedly informed top military officials of his condition in an email.

Defense Deputy Secretary Kathleen Hicks was apparently among several leaders ― including President Joe Biden, the commander-in-chief ― who were not told about Austin’s medical situation until at least three days after the 70-year-old checked into the hospital’s intensive care unit.

According to The Associated Press, Hicks was vacationing in Puerto Rico when she was asked to assume some of Austin’s responsibilities. Defense officials do not necessarily consider temporary transfers of power to be unusual, even if the reason for them is unclear.

The department had a communications setup that allowed her to do her job from the island while Austin was hospitalized. Hicks assumed some of Austin’s duties on Tuesday, but it was not until Thursday that she was allegedly informed of his hospitalization.