US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin attends a welcome ceremony before an annual security meeting with South Korean Defence Minister Shin Won-sik at the Defence Ministry in Seoul, South Korea on November 13, 2023. JUNG YEON-JE/Pool via REUTERS
(Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was taken to a Washington, D.C. hospital on Sunday for treatment of “symptoms suggesting an emergent bladder issue”, a Pentagon spokesman said.
Austin, 70, was retaining his duties during his hospitalization, Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a written statement.
Austin was criticized last month for failing to disclose a cancer diagnosis and subsequent hospitalizations in December and January, including to President Joe Biden. He apologized during a televised news briefing.
He is scheduled to testify before Congress on Feb. 29 about the situation.
The incident triggered a political uproar. Some prominent Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, called for Austin to be removed from his job. Austin is a retired four-star general who led forces in Iraq and is America’s first Black defense secretary.
Biden, a Democrat, has said he has confidence in Austin despite what the president agreed was a lapse in judgment.
(Reporting by Dan Whitcomb; Editing by Don Durfee)
News Related-
High court unanimously ruled indefinite detention was unlawful while backing preventive regime
-
Cheika set for contract extension as another Wallabies head coaching candidate slips by
-
Analysis-West's de-risking starts to bite China's prospects
-
'Beyond a joke' Labor won't ensure PTSD protections: MP
-
Formula One season driver ratings: Lando Norris shines as Max Verstappen nears perfection
-
Catalina golfer Tony Riches scores Guinness World Record four holes in one on same hole
-
Florida coach Billy Napier fires assistants Sean Spencer, Corey Raymond with expected staff shakeup ahead
-
Rohingyan refugee NZYQ accidentally named in documents published by high court
-
Colorado loses commitments of 2 more high school recruits
-
Queensland Health issues urgent patient safety alert over national bacteria outbreak
-
Townsville Community Pantry 'distressed' by fruit, vegetable waste at Aldi supermarket
-
What Is The Beaver Moon And What Does It Mean For You?
-
Labor senator Pat Dodson to resign from politics due to health issues
-
Hamas releases 11 more hostages, as Israel agrees to extend ceasefire