Lloyd Austin to undergo procedure at Walter Reed

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is scheduled to undergo a medical procedure at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Friday evening, temporarily transferring power to his deputy as he continues to address bladder issues that emerged in December after his treatment for prostate cancer, according to Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder.

The procedure, described as elective and minimally invasive, is unrelated to his cancer diagnosis and has no impact on his positive cancer prognosis, Ryder stated.

“The Secretary has determined that he will be temporarily unable to fulfill his duties during the procedure, so Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks will step in to handle the responsibilities of the Secretary of Defense and act as the Acting Secretary of Defense,” the Pentagon announced in a statement on Friday.

Austin had been hospitalized in February for a then-unspecified cancer-related procedure. He spent a fortnight in the hospital receiving treatment for complications from his prostate cancer surgery.

At the time, Austin and the Pentagon did not inform key members of the Biden administration about his hospitalization. President Biden criticized what he considered a lapse in judgment in handling the situation.

The incident prompted a Congressional investigation and a review of procedures for managing incapacitated cabinet members.