"Pentagon's Delay in Informing White House of Defense Secretary's Hospitalization Sparks Outrage"

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin took responsibility for the lack of transparency surrounding his secret hospitalization at Walter Reed Medical Center, acknowledging that he could have done a better job informing the public and officials. The public and Congress were only made aware of his hospitalization five days after he was admitted, and top White House officials, including President Biden, were reportedly informed three days later. Senator Tom Cotton called for consequences if the reports of the White House being kept out of the loop were true, emphasizing the crucial role of the Secretary of Defense in the chain of command. Austin gave no further details on the complications that led to his hospitalization but expressed his commitment to doing better in terms of disclosure.