Defense Secretary Austin hospitalized with bladder issue, but 'retaining the functions' of office

[BumRushDaShow]

Last edited Sun Feb 11, 2024, 07:23 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: AP

Updated 5:36 PM EST, February 11, 2024


WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was hospitalized Sunday following symptoms pointing to an “emergent bladder issue,” the Pentagon said.

In a statement, the Pentagon said Austin was transported by his security detail to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center around 2:20 p.m. He “is retaining the functions and duties of his office,” according to Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, who added that the deputy defense secretary has been notified and is prepared to assume Austin’s duties “if required.”

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was also notified, as well as the White House and some members of Congress.

Ryder said Austin traveled to the hospital with the unclassified and classified communications systems needed to perform his job.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/defense-secretary-austin-hospitalized-bladder-83e7184212e9dad1c86fe4686347f60b

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Short article at post time.

Article now updated.

Original article/headline -

Defense Sec. Austin hospitalized with bladder issue, but 'retaining the functions' of office

Updated 4:58 PM EST, February 11, 2024


WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was hospitalized Sunday following symptoms pointing to an “emergent bladder issue,” the Pentagon says.

In a statement, the Pentagon said Austin was transported by his security detail to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center around 2:20 p.m. He “is retaining the functions and duties of his office,” said Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, but added that the deputy defense secretary has been notified and is prepared to assume Austin’s duties “if required.”

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was also notified, as well as the White House and some members of Congress.

Ryder said Austin traveled to the hospital with the unclassified and classified communications systems needed to perform his job.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

1. Press release

Link to tweet

[PortTack]

2. It isn't uncommon for a man to have some bladder issues following the kind of surgery he had.

Be well Sec. Austin!!

[Duncanpup]

3. Good luck soldier

[Hekate]

4. Get well soonest, Sir

[iluvtennis]

5. Wishing a Secretary Austin a speedy recovery. n/t

[LetMyPeopleVote]

6. Lloyd Austin hospitalized for a bladder issue; duties transferred to deputy defense secretary

Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks will assume his functions and duties, the Pentagon said.

Link to tweet

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was taken to the hospital Sunday afternoon for a bladder issue, the Defense Department said in a statement.

He transferred his duties to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks at about 4:55 p.m. Sunday, and the White House, Joint Chiefs and Congress have been notified, Pentagon Press Sec Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said.

Austin’s security detail took him to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington, where he retains the “unclassified and classified communications systems necessary to perform his duties,” Ryder said.

The White House and Congress have been notified of his condition, along with Hicks and Gen. Charles Brown, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

[Eugene]

7. US Defense Secretary Austin admitted to critical care, hospital says

US Defense Secretary Austin admitted to critical care, hospital says

(Reuters) -U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was admitted to a critical care unit in Washington on Sunday for treatment of "symptoms suggesting an emergent bladder issue", officials of Walter Reed Military Medical Center said.

Austin, 70, later transferred the duties of his office to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder said in a statement.

Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers criticized Austin last month for failing to disclose a cancer diagnosis and subsequent hospitalizations in December and January, including to President Joe Biden. Some prominent Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, called for Austin to be removed from his job.

https://news.yahoo.com/us-defense-secretary-austin-taken-214642926.html