9 months ago
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin apologized for the way he handled his prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment, a decision that led to confusion following a secret hospital stay that was kept from top U.S. officials, including the president.
Austin was hospitalized on Jan. 1 due to complications from a late-December surgery to treat the cancer.
“We did not handle this right. I did not handle this right.” Austin told reporters at the Pentagon on Thursday.
Top members of the national security team, including President Joe Biden, were not informed by Austin's staff that he was in the hospital until Jan. 4, three days after he was admitted. It took several more days before they found out that he had been diagnosed and was being treated for cancer.
“I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis. I should have also told my team and the American public, and I take full responsibility,” Austin said, adding that he has apologized to Biden personally.
Austin didn’t direct anyone to keep the diagnosis from the White House, he said.
The defense secretary stressed that there were “no gaps in authorities” during his treatment. Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks assumed some of his duties while he was in the hospital and she was on vacation, though she wasn’t given an explanation for the transfer of responsibilities.
If Hicks needs to temporarily assume duties in the future, Austin said, the White House and other key officials will be immediately notified.
Austin said his diagnosis was “a gut punch” and his first instinct was to keep it private.
“I don’t think it’s news that I’m a pretty private guy,” he said.
The side effects from his cancer treatment were “highly, highly unusual,” Austin said. He still experiences leg pain and remains in physical therapy.
Some Republicans in Congress demanded his ouster after the news first surfaced, and have called for hearings to learn more about what happened. Biden has stood behind Austin and has no plans to fire him.
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