# Sec Def Lloyd Austin "secretly" hospitalized **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 7, 2024, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719 "2024-01-07T01:29:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/101 "2024-01-10T00:29:47Z")
> [@simster](#): > > That’s bullshit - there is zero evidence that he was unreachable or “not working” - he (at this point) simply worked remotely and didn’t advise folks that his remotely was from a hospital room. Given that no one ‘knew’ he was in the hospital seems to speak greatly to his availability and ability to do his work. I assume that during these past few days that it was business as usual as far as his scheduled calls, etc. I think that hospital is used to treating high-level patients including the president, so there may be secure communications facilities even in the ICU? ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/102 "2024-01-10T00:32:03Z")
> [@simster](#): > > there is zero evidence that he was unreachable or “not working” Pretty sure they knock you out to remove your prostate. That’s not an out-patient procedure. He’s not some back office drone getting out the monthly TPS reports. He’s the fucking secretary of defense. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/103 "2024-01-10T00:34:01Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I think that hospital is used to treating high-level patients including the president, so there may be secure communications facilities even in the ICU? When POTUS goes under the knife, the VP is notified and assumes the responsibilities of commander in chief while the POTUS is incapacitated. It’s not like they’ve invented a brain tap so an unconcious person can be communicated with. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/104 "2024-01-10T00:35:08Z")
Was the secretary of defense incapacitated though? ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/105 "2024-01-10T00:35:43Z")
He had his prostate removed. They aren’t doing that while he was concious. Procedure can take up to 4 hours, not including post-op recovery time. Besides, it’s not his call to make whether or not he hands off his responsibilities. He should have notified the White House (POTUS) his boss, and they make the call. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/106 "2024-01-10T00:38:24Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > He’s not some back office drone getting out the monthly TPS reports. He’s the fucking secretary of defense. Yes, and for that part of the process, Austin had transferred his duties to his deputy. This was on December 23rd. Things didn’t go south until Austin was returned to care in the ICU on January 1st. It was at that point he failed to notify President Biden of further medical intervention. But so far as I understand, Austin has been handling his duties throughout his stay in the hospital and was not again subject to general anesthesia. There are legitimate concerns here, and it’s good President Biden has ordered a review. But let’s stick with the facts of the matter. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/107 "2024-01-10T00:39:35Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Austin had transferred his duties to his deputy. Who never knew that she had the responsibility…she never was told. Complete cluster and the SecDef failed in his leadership. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/108 "2024-01-10T00:40:20Z")
She was out sick. There are lots of moving parts to this. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/109 "2024-01-10T00:41:35Z")
Good leaders make good decisions…not like this. Good leaders also take responsibility for their failures, don’t pass the blame onto others. And more than a promise to do better. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/110 "2024-01-10T00:43:08Z")
The prostate procedure was done on Dec 22nd - he went in to the hospital on the 1st due to pain and they kept him there for monitoring/whatever. On the 4th is when others were more properly notified. Based on the article above - Austin told his chief of staff, who was unable to tell the deputy due to her being ill. > Ryder said the National Security Council and Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks were not notified until Thursday, Jan. 4, that Austin had been hospitalized since Jan. 1. Ryder said Austin’s chief of staff, Kelly Magsamen, was ill and “unable to make notifications before then.” He said she informed Hicks and the national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, on Thursday. > **[The Pentagon adds new details about Austin's secretive hospital stay and the...](https://apnews.com/article/defense-secretary-lloyd-austin-hospitalized-biden-859cc79631d6c96dbdff161faf8e4f96)** > > The Pentagon is releasing new details about Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s nearly weeklong hospitalization. Try again - ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/111 "2024-01-10T00:43:09Z")
Secretary Austin already took full responsibility for this. He made an unambiguous statement that the entire incident was his fault and his fault alone. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/112 "2024-01-10T00:47:26Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > She was out sick. There are lots of moving parts to this. The deputy secretary was on vacation in Puerto Rico; it was the chief of staff who was ill. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/113 "2024-01-10T00:47:46Z")
If someone on my staff didn’t inform me that they were going to be out for surgery and then out recovering for extended days and then ended up back in the hospital and didn’t inform me. They would be fired. I expect more from the leaders in my organization. You don’t leave the ball hanging. And I’m not even talking about national security issues…this is just basic expectations of leaders in an organization. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/114 "2024-01-10T00:48:23Z")
Thank you for the correction. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/115 "2024-01-10T00:51:01Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > And I’m not even talking about national security issues…this is just basic expectations of leaders in an organization. Yup. And in the current political climate, firing a Defense Secretary who may not be able to be replaced due to political circumstances could have far-reaching consequences that I’m quite certain you would never face within your organization. I agree it is good this situation is being formally reviewed. I don’t agree that firing Secretary Austin is the best solution to the problem. Obviously YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/116 "2024-01-10T01:19:37Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > due to political circumstances My comments are partisan agnostic and are focused purely on leadership expectations. I have high standards for people that hold power regardless of political affiliation. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/117 "2024-01-10T01:25:17Z")
In a world where Joe Biden could nominate and have confirmed a new SecDef promptly I would agree completely that Austin should resign or be fired. Unfortunately, the Senate won’t confirm anybody right now, and rolling with an interim SecDef for a year seems like a bad idea. I assume that is what @Aspenglow was referring to. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/118 "2024-01-10T01:27:15Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > I assume that is what @Aspenglow was referring to. It is, and I appreciate your clarifying what I so poorly stated. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/119 "2024-01-10T02:44:02Z")
Apparently it came out today that the WH didn’t even know about the surgery on Dec. 22. They apparently had no idea he was going under general anesthesia. That, to me, changes it to a “he must resign”. This was a scheduled surgery and there is NO excuse for not informing his boss. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/120 "2024-01-10T03:10:13Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > Unfortunately, the Senate won’t confirm anybody right now, and rolling with an interim SecDef for a year seems like a bad idea. I assume that is what @Aspenglow was referring to. The Senate can and would confirm a new Sec Def. As I said above, Republicans would try to make it a circus but Democrats control the Senate and the nomination can’t be filibustered. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719.md?page=7)