Austin apologizes for secret hospital stay: ‘I did not handle this right’

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin apologized Thursday for his secretive hospitalization in early January, admitting he “did not handle this right” amid questions about his failure to notify administration officials of the hospital stay.

Austin appeared in the Pentagon press briefing room for the first time since his hospitalization and answered questions from reporters about the scandal.

The Pentagon chief said he never directed his staff to keep secret the hospitalization at Maryland’s Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, but acknowledged his failure to notify.

“I want to be crystal clear: We did not handle this right. I did not handle this right. I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis,” Austin said. “I should have also told my team and the American public, and I take full responsibility. I apologize to my teammates and to the American people.”

Austin, who is African American, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in early December and was hospitalized with a urinary tract infection on New Year’s Day after a Dec. 22 elective surgery. He has since been released from the hospital but said he continued physical therapy as he recovers.

“The news shook me, and I know that it shakes so many others, especially in the Black community. It was a gut punch,” said Austin. “And, frankly, my first instinct was to keep it private. I don’t think it’s news that I’m a pretty private guy. I never like burdening others with my problems. It’s just not my way.”

“But I’ve learned from this experience taking this kind of job means losing some of the privacy that most of us expect,” he said. “The American people have a right to know if their leaders are facing health challenges that might affect their ability to perform their duties, even temporarily.”

Austin did not notify President Biden and key White House officials of his hospitalization until three days after the New Year’s emergency, which placed him into the intensive care unit for days. And he did not notify Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks for three days, even when she assumed command of the Pentagon.

Austin also failed to tell Biden about the cancer diagnosis until after the hospitalization. He said Thursday that it was a mistake not to tell Biden.

The secretary, facing questions about imperiling the chain of command, said “there were no gaps and authorities and no risk to the department’s command and control” during his hospitalization. 

“At every moment, either I or the deputy secretary was in full charge,” he said. “And we’ve already put in place some new procedures to make sure that any lapses and notification don’t happen in the future.”

The White House has already shifted policy based on the incident, ordering Cabinet secretaries to notify when they can’t perform their duties, while also reviewing procedures. The Pentagon and the Defense Department’s inspector general are also both reviewing the incident.

Some Republicans have said Austin’s actions endangered national security and amount to dereliction of duty, calling for his resignation. Austin said at no point did he offer his resignation.

In the House, top GOP defense lawmakers are demanding Austin appear for a hearing to answer questions. Asked if he would appear for such a hearing, Austin did not directly respond.

“Congress has some very relevant questions that they’ve asked us,” he said. “And we will continue to to answer those questions.”

The political scandal drew more questions after The Daily Beast first reported that an aide for Austin directed the ambulance to be “subtle” on the day he was hospitalized. 

Austin said he asked his assistant to call the ambulance but “did not direct him to do anything further than just call the ambulance.”

“What he said and why he said it,” Austin said, “I think that should come out in the review as well.”

Austin, who still has leg pain, said he expects a full recovery from his hospitalization.

“My leg will continue to prove — improve. The doctors are confident that it will,” he said. “It’ll just take time.”

Updated at 11:25 a.m. ET