Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin recently underwent a prostatectomy, “to treat and cure prostate cancer,” according to a statement issued Tuesday afternoon by the Walter Reed National Medical Center.
The cancer was first detected in early December, and Austin was admitted to the hospital for a one-night stay to have the prostatectomy on Dec. 22, the statement says. He was then readmitted on Jan. 1 with complications stemming from a urinary tract infection, according to the statement, which says the infection “has now cleared.”
“His prostate cancer was detected early, and his prognosis is excellent,” Austin’s physicians said in the statement.
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The White House was unaware for three days that Austin, 70, had been hospitalized on Jan. 1, and Austin later apologized for keeping mum on his whereabouts. President Biden only found out about Austin’s cancer on Tuesday, shortly before the announcement from Walter Reed, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, according to CNN.
Austin’s personal security detail was aware of his hospitalization, as was a junior military aide who met with Austin on Jan. 2, according to military officials. But, “The vast, vast majority of leaders were unaware,” an unnamed U.S. official told Politico.
The nation learned of Austin’s hospitalization on Jan. 5, when Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder issued a statement saying the Defense Secretary has been admitted to Walter Reed for issues “following a recent elective medical procedure.” Ryder said Austin was planning that day to resume his “full duties” from his bed, and that “[a]t all times, the Deputy Secretary of Defense was prepared to act for and exercise the powers of the Secretary, if required.”
The Pentagon Press Association, the group representing defense reporters, sent a letter that same day to Pentagon officials, calling the delayed public notification “an outrage.”
“At a time when there are growing threats to U.S. military service members in the Middle East and the U.S. is playing key national security roles in the wars in Israel and Ukraine, it is particularly critical for the American public to be informed about the health status and decision-making ability of its top defense leader,” the letter said.
On Jan. 6, Austin issued a statement of his own, apologizing while continuing to stand by his actions.
“I... understand the media concerns about transparency and I recognize I could have done a better job ensuring the public was appropriately informed,” he said. “I commit to doing better.”
“But,” Austin added, “this is important to say: this was my medical procedure, and I take full responsibility for my decisions about disclosure.”
Following the minimally invasive prostatectomy, Austin developed nausea “with severe abdominal, hip, and leg pain,” according to Tuesday’s statement from Walter Reed. Once doctors diagnosed the issue as a UTI, Austin was transferred to intensive care for “close monitoring,” the statement says.
“Further evaluation revealed abdominal fluid collections impairing the function of his small intestines,” the statement goes on. “This resulted in the back up of his intestinal contents which was treated by placing a tube through his nose to drain his stomach. The abdominal fluid collections were drained by non-surgical drain placement. He has progressed steadily throughout his stay.”
The Biden Administration has expressed its confidence in Austin and said it has no plans to replace him.
At a press briefing on Tuesday following the release of the Walter Reed statement, Ryder said Austin’s recovery continues apace and that he is in “good spirits.” The DoD will be issuing daily reports on Austin’s condition, which Ryder described as “deeply personal.”
