Joe Biden in the dark about Lloyd Austin’s hospitalization

US media reported on Saturday that US Commander-in-Chief Joe Biden had been kept in the dark by the Pentagon for at least three days about Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s hospitalization until he was briefed by national security adviser Jake Sullivan.

Politico reported Saturday that President Joe Biden did not know where Lloyd Austin was when the minister was hospitalized on January 1.

Not only Biden but also top White House officials were shocked to learn about the Pentagon chief’s health condition for which he was hospitalized.

The Pentagon released an official statement about his boss on January 4.

Pentagon spokesman Patrick S. Ryder explained the delay Saturday: “It was an evolving situation in which we had to consider a number of factors, including medical and personal privacy issues.”

The 81-year-old President was briefed only by his national security adviser with officials ruling out Biden’s prior knowledge of the Pentagon chief’s hospitalization.

“If Jake didn’t know, there’s no way the president knew,” one of the officials reportedly said, noting that “who would tell him about Austin’s situation if not Jake? And if someone did tell the president , Jake would say so.” it was his first call.”

The officials also said the US commander-in-chief had a “cordial conversation” with Secretary Austin on Saturday night.

“The president has complete confidence and trust in Secretary Austin,” they noted.

White House officials were stunned to learn after being kept in the dark for days about the 70-year-old Pentagon chief’s hospitalization for complications following an “elective medical procedure.”

Other institutions such as Congress were also informed 15 minutes before the official public statement was revealed by Friday evening.

According to US media reports, Austin said on Saturday: “I could have done a better job of making sure the public was properly informed. I’m committed to doing better. But this is important to say: this was my medical procedure and I take full responsibility for my decisions regarding disclosure.”

The Pentagon Press Association called the failure to report on Austin’s condition and treatment “outrageous.”

“The public has a right to know when members of the U.S. Cabinet are hospitalized, under anesthesia, or assigned duties as a result of any medical procedure. This has been the practice even at the presidential level. As the nation’s top defense leader, Secretary To Austin has no claim to privacy in this situation,” the group said in a statement Friday.