Austin Transfers Duties, Cancels Meeting With NATO

February 12, 2024 Biden Administration, Military

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was hospitalized again on Sunday — this time “to be seen for symptoms suggesting an emergent bladder issue,” the Pentagon announced. The Defense Department said Monday Austin will not travel to Brussels later this week for meetings on NATO and Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s invasion.

Officials with Walter Reed National Military Medical Center said on Sunday Austin is expected to make a full recovery after being admitted into a critical care unit. “At this time, it is not clear how long Secretary Austin will remain hospitalized,” the statement added. “His cancer prognosis remains excellent.”

Read the full article. The Pentagon this morning said that Austin has transferred his duties to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks.

Defense Sec. Lloyd Austin has canceled a trip to Brussels this week following his hospitalization due to “an emergent bladder issue,” a U.S. defense official said Monday. https://t.co/itsa1cvQ9g

— ABC News (@ABC) February 12, 2024