Defense secretary faces scrutiny for not disclosing hospitalization

The fallout continues for U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin after he failed to disclose his hospitalization for three days last week to President Joe Biden and other senior officials. Even Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks was left in the dark about Austin's hospitalization when she took over his duties.

Austin's hospitalization was only made public by the Pentagon on Friday, Jan. 5, announcing in a statement that Austin had been admitted on Jan. 1 to "Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for complications following a recent elective medical procedure," adding that he was recovering and that Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks "was prepared to act for and exercise the power of the secretary if required."

Pentagon Press Secretary Patrick Ryder told CNN Sunday that Austin transferred "certain operational responsibilities that require constant secure communications capabilities" to Hicks on Jan. 2, while she was on vacation in Puerto Rico, but ultimately was not informed of Austin's hospitalization until January 4th. Ryder told CNN that it's "not uncommon" for the secretary to transfer responsibilities without giving a reason.