"911 Call Reveals Effort to Keep Lloyd Austin's Emergency Transport 'Subtle'"

An aide for Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin requested a "subtle" ambulance approach in a 911 call on Jan. 1, as Austin was being taken to the hospital for complications from prostate cancer surgery. The secrecy surrounding his hospitalization, including not informing the White House or Pentagon staff, sparked controversy and raised questions about privacy for top government officials. Austin, known for his privacy, had undergone surgery for early-stage prostate cancer in December and was hospitalized for complications on Jan. 1, all while retaining his responsibilities overseeing the U.S. military. President Biden acknowledged the incident as a lapse in judgment but expressed confidence in Austin.