Biden Agrees Austin Had a Lapse in Judgment

President says he still has confidence in Cabinet member
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jan 12, 2024 5:35 PM CST
Biden Says He Still Has Confidence in Austin
President Biden talks about his economic agenda Friday during a visit to the Nowhere Coffee shop in Emmaus, Pennsylvania.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Biden said Friday that it was a lapse in judgment by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin not to tell him about his hospitalization last week, but he still has confidence in his Pentagon chief. Speaking to reporters as he toured local businesses outside Allentown, Pennsylvania, Biden said "yes" when asked if it was a lapse in judgment for Austin not to tell him about his condition. He replied, "I do," when asked if he still had confidence in Austin's leadership. Austin, 70, remains hospitalized as he is being treated for complications from prostate cancer surgery.

Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Dec. 22 and underwent surgery to treat the cancer, which was detected earlier in the month during a routine screening. He developed an infection a week later and was hospitalized Jan. 1 and admitted to intensive care. Biden and senior administration officials were not told about Austin's hospitalization until Jan. 4, and Austin kept the cancer diagnosis secret until Tuesday. His failure to disclose his hospitalization has been sharply criticized by members of both political parties and has led to some calls for his resignation. Biden's answers were his first utterances in public about the issue, per the Hill.

(More President Biden stories.)

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