Secretary Austin’s Secret Hospitals Raise ‘Unnecessary’ US National Security Threats, Report Says

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the secret hospitals have “unnecessarily” increased the threat to US national security, according to a new report by the Defense Inspector General (OIG).

The Pentagon inspector general’s 188-page review will examine the secretary’s hospitals in December 2023, January 2024 and February 2024.

The OIG noted that Austin’s “intense desire to maintain privacy about his health” played a central role in the breakdown of relations within the Pentagon, as well as between the Defense Department and the White House and Congress.

Neither Austin’s chief of staff nor Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks knew of the cancer diagnosis or the procedure he underwent in December 2023. In fact, the OIG said, “virtually all of their staff” were unaware of Austin’s medical condition and treatments.

Dr. Mark Siegel: Patient privacy does not cover Lloyd Austin’s secret hospital

Records also indicate that Austin requested that the ambulance not use its lights and sirens when he was taken to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Jan. 1, 2024, for a “severe” illness. Additionally, according to the report, Austin told his personal security chief not to tell anyone about the incident.

“No one on Secretary Austin’s staff was aware of his serious health concerns, including his worsening condition and transfer to the surgical intensive care unit on January 2,” the OIG said in the report.

On January 3, 2024, Austin’s chief of staff, Kelly Magsamen, sent a text message to the secretary’s junior military aide, who was in the hospital with the secretary at the time. In her message, Magsamen urged the secretary to learn more about the situation.

“I wish (Secretary Austin) would be a normal person, but he is (Secretary of Defense). We have a huge institutional responsibility. He can’t be completely in the dark on his staff. His hospitalization is a secret forever.”

The OIG also found that on February 11, 2024, when Austin was again unexpectedly hospitalized, authorities were not called in “several hours later.” In reference to this incident, the OEG said, “Given the seriousness of his situation,” Austin authorities should have been transferred “hours before the final incident.”

After the review, the OIG issued 20 recommendations to DOD to “improve processes” and recommended that the department act on them expeditiously.

The Pentagon released a summary of the Austin hospital review

Inspector General Robert Storch said in a statement: “While DoD has taken some important steps to address these concerns, additional reforms are needed to ensure DoD’s readiness, transparency, and mission accomplishment. These reforms are not just an administrative imperative. They are an operational and national security imperative.”

Finally, the report indicated that the Ministry of Defense does not have a “comprehensive” plan to hand over the job in the absence of the secretary.

After the report was released, a senior defense official admitted to reporters that Austin “made a mistake” and that there was “no scandal” and “no cover-up.” “At every moment, the defense minister or the defense minister is fully ready to support the president,” the official said.

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Austin acknowledged his office’s shortcomings shortly after the hospital’s February 2024 appearance was announced.

Regarding his earlier hospitalization, Austin said at the time: “I want to be clear. We don’t hold that right, and I don’t hold that right.” “I had to tell the president about my cancer diagnosis. I had to tell my team and the American people, and I take full responsibility. I apologize to my teammates and the American people.”

Liz Frieden contributed to this report.