Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to undergo non-surgical procedure at Walter Reed

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is going back to Walter Reed Army Medical Center for a medical procedure on Friday evening. This procedure is not a surgery and is meant to be minimally invasive. It is not related to his cancer diagnosis. Mr. Austin, who is 70 years old, was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year. He has faced criticism for not sharing information about his previous hospital visits in December and January. The Pentagon announced that Mr. Austin will temporarily transfer his responsibilities to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks while he undergoes treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The medical procedure Mr. Austin will undergo is elective and is not expected to affect his cancer prognosis. The Pentagon press secretary mentioned that Mr. Austin is still dealing with bladder issues from his cancer treatment. The White House and Congress have been informed about the situation. Mr. Austin had apologized earlier for not disclosing his hospital stays promptly, which led to concerns about transparency and security. Republican Representative Mike Rogers criticized the delay in informing the president about Mr. Austin's health condition. As the Defense Secretary, Mr. Austin holds a crucial position in the US military hierarchy, just below the president. He testified before Congress in February, taking responsibility for the oversight in disclosing his cancer diagnosis and treatment. He acknowledged the mistake and expressed regret for not informing the relevant parties promptly.