# 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:** 8
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2024, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/141 "2024-01-15T20:08:13Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Except in the current political situation, if Austin resigns, there is no guarantee that Biden would be able to get a new SecDef approved quickly by the Senate. SecDef is a position not susceptible to filibustering. It just needs a majority. Sure Sinema or Manchin might play games, but the Republicans can be voted down. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2024, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/142 "2024-01-15T20:10:41Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > > [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > > > It showed that Austin cared more for his personal privacy than breaking the chain of command during an active conflict. That should be a firing offense. > > Except in the current political situation, if Austin resigns, there is no guarantee that Biden would be able to get a new SecDef approved quickly by the Senate. Best to keep Austin in, after reaming him out. As has been stated, that position needs only a simple majority to be confirmed. It can only be held up so long. But even if the position is vacant the already confirmed by the Senate deputy can be acting SECDEF for as long as needed. That’s why there is a deputy. The deputy has to be informed she is in charge for it to work. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/143 "2024-01-17T00:25:35Z")
911 call. Seems normal too me. They didn’t want a public spectacle. Austin’s staff still should have privately notified the White House. I’m concerned about his future health. I’ve had different surgeries and definitely needed time off work. The meds can affect concentration and physically I tired more easily. Austin should consider a fews months leave of absence. > **[911 caller asked for no lights, sirens for defense secretary's ambulance](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/911-caller-austin-ambulance-asks-sirens-lights/story?id=106420458)** > > In a 911 call for help for Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, the person requests the ambulance requested to be discreet. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/144 "2024-01-17T23:34:20Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > 911 call. Seems normal too me. They didn’t want a public spectacle. I agree. But both CNN and MSNBC, today, were playing up this story as though it were a major Gotcha. (I can only imagine how Fox must have treated it; as a major scandal at the least, I assume.) Yes, he’s not going to be at 100% for a while. It’s a very unpleasant situation. But I think the White House has to prioritize keeping continuity at Defense. With a replacement, there will be constant GOP cries of ‘not qualified’ and additional harassment. Austin IS qualified, even if overly concerned with his privacy, and guilty of bad judgment because of it. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2024, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/145 "2024-01-18T00:04:41Z")
> [@bibliophage](#): > > I don’t mind at all that the press and the public (and hence our enemies) weren’t informed. The chances of our enemies knowing this happened are pretty high.They certainly track his movements. Do you want our enemies to know the command structure involving a nuclear launch is compromised and the next in line is on vacation? This is way beyond a serious breach of national security. There is no rational reason for this to have occurred. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2024, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/146 "2024-01-22T04:04:17Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Yes, he’s not going to be at 100% for a while. It’s a very unpleasant situation. But I think the White House has to prioritize keeping continuity at Defense. With a replacement, there will be constant GOP cries of ‘not qualified’ and additional harassment. He has a deputy that can step up. The senate already confirmed her. Any cries of cries of not qualified will sound pretty hollow. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/147 "2024-02-01T18:00:17Z")
I wish to retract my statement above. With new information, I no longer feel that he should resign. I wish him good health and good luck in his job. I wouldn’t take the job, that’s for sure. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/148 "2024-02-01T18:02:51Z")
> **[Defense Secretary on Health Transparency: "I did not handle this right."](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAELZ9NaKhU%2Fa)** > > Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on his recent cancer diagnosis and transparency: "We did not handle this right. I did not handle this right. I should have tol... ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/149 "2024-02-01T18:44:18Z")
White House has given direction to all Cab Secs on the need to notify the White House about absences: > **[White House sets new guidelines for Cabinet notifications after Austin's...](https://apnews.com/article/president-joe-biden-white-house-lloyd-austin-cabinet-f3e03c04ff7d9a0ab062a57ac181bb8f)** > > The White House is laying out a new set of guidelines to ensure it will be informed any time a Cabinet head can’t carry out their job. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/150 "2024-02-01T18:46:37Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > White House has given direction to all Cab Secs on the need to notify the White House about absences: And order is restored. A screw up, an apology, and a fix. Seems like competence in action. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/151 "2024-02-01T19:05:10Z")
Agreed. Good to see. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/152 "2024-02-01T19:09:41Z")
We now return you to the “All Hunter Biden, All The Time Show” already in progress. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2024, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/153 "2024-02-02T04:54:32Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > White House has given direction to all Cab Secs on the need to notify the White House about absences: > > [New guidelines set for Cabinet notifications after Lloyd Austin's secret hospitalization | AP News](https://apnews.com/article/president-joe-biden-white-house-lloyd-austin-cabinet-f3e03c04ff7d9a0ab062a57ac181bb8f) I just don’t understand why that wasn’t a thing before. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2024, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/154 "2024-02-02T08:12:31Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I just don’t understand why that wasn’t a thing before. I work in government (state but still), I’d estimate about 95% of our policies are reactive rather than preventative. So this doesn’t surprise me in the slightest. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2024, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/155 "2024-02-03T01:28:27Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I just don’t understand why that wasn’t a thing before. Because it’s so obvious, so it doesn’t need to be in a policy. Or what @Atamasama said. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2024, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/156 "2024-02-03T01:37:14Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I work in government (state but still), I’d estimate about 95% of our policies are reactive rather than preventative. Yup. I suspect that most formal policies (both in government and in business) came about because someone did something that ignored the informal (but known) guidelines. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2024, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/157 "2024-02-06T18:18:57Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > > [@Loach](#): > > > > I just don’t understand why that wasn’t a thing before. > > Because it’s so obvious, so it doesn’t need to be in a policy. > > Or what @Atamasama said. Austin was in the Army for over 40 years. The military does nothing that isn’t covered in a 5 paragraph Operations Order. Paragraph 5 of the OPORD covers command and would be applicable to this situation. Even at the platoon level it is written out and briefed who will take over him someone is incapacitated. It should be so firmly engrained in his soul that its second nature. The military doesn’t believe in so obvious it doesn’t need to be written out. That’s what is so perplexing to me. I would expect a general with 40 years experience to know better. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2024, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/158 "2024-02-12T04:56:14Z")
> **[Lloyd Austin hospitalized for a bladder issue; duties transferred to deputy...](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/lloyd-austin-hospitalized-bladder-issue-rcna138299)** > > Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks will assume his functions and duties, the Pentagon said. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2024, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/159 "2024-02-12T05:00:10Z")
It seems he learned his lesson. Hope he gets better soon. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2024, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719/160 "2024-02-29T17:23:22Z")
He got quite the grilling on Capitol Hill: ['You have embarrassed us!': Defense Secretary Austin apologizes to Congress for botched illness response](https://www.aol.com/did-not-handle-defense-secretary-152155758.html) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-def-lloyd-austin-secretly-hospitalized/995719.md?page=9)