US Defense Secretary Austin admitted to critical care, hospital says

Earlier DU thread: Defense Secretary Austin hospitalized with bladder issue, but 'retaining the functions' of office

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Source: Reuters

US Defense Secretary Austin admitted to critical care, hospital says

Updated Mon, February 12, 2024 at 1:27 AM EST·2 min read

(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.

The incident was an embarrassment for Biden, and Austin apologized during a televised news briefing. He is scheduled to testify before Congress on Feb. 29 about the situation.

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