Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made a public appearance for the first time after he was hospitalized on for complications from a surgery to treat prostate cancer.
Austin, participating from home, made the appearance during a virtual meeting to discuss support for Ukraine with international counterparts.
“As you can tell, I’m joining from home today. I’m feeling good and looking forward to being back at the Pentagon very soon. And I’m grateful for all of your warm wishes,” Austin said.
Austin was not scheduled to host a press conference as he normally does after the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting.
“Since he’s still at his residence, we won’t have a joint press confer- — or at this moment, right now, won’t have a joint press conference with the secretary and the chairman,” Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said.
“He’s well enough to take part in the meeting. We’re working on when he returns back to the building to get him here in — in front of you in the [Pentagon Briefing Room].”
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) launched an investigation into why Austin didn’t notify Biden of his absence, and has requested that Austin appear in front of Congress to explain.
Rogers said that Austin specifically avoided answering whether he told his staff not to inform Biden or others of his hospitalization.
“Unfortunately, this leads me to believe that information is being withheld from Congress,” Rogers said in a letter to Austin.
“Your unwillingness to provide candid and complete answers necessitates calling a Full Committee hearing on February 14, 2024, where the Committee expects to hear your direct testimony regarding decisions made to withhold information from the President, Congress, and the American people.”
Several members of Congress have called on Austin to resign.
