Members of Congress and Pentagon leaders were reportedly unaware of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's hospitalization for several days, leading to questions about the secrecy surrounding his condition. The lack of transparency regarding Austin's illness, the seriousness of it, and the timing of his potential release has raised concerns among U.S. officials.

Austin, 70, has been hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, following complications from a minor elective medical procedure. The Pentagon's failure to disclose this information for several days is seen as a departure from the usual practice of transparency with regards to the health of senior U.S. officials and Cabinet members.

It remains unclear when the White House and other key U.S. officials were informed about Austin's hospitalization. Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder stated that the White House and Joint Chiefs of Staff were notified but did not disclose when this occurred. Several anonymous officials revealed that senior Pentagon service leaders were only made aware of Austin's hospitalization on Friday. President Joe Biden and senior White House staff were also informed, although the timing of their notification was not specified.

The news of Austin's hospitalization came as a surprise to many key Pentagon staff, who were under the impression that he was on vacation for the week. Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks assumed Austin's responsibilities during his absence and was reported to be working remotely from Puerto Rico.

Ryder has assured that Austin is recovering well and resumed his full duties on Friday evening from his hospital bed. When pressed for answers regarding the decision to keep the hospital stay a secret, Ryder cited evolving circumstances and privacy concerns as reasons for the Pentagon's silence. He declined to share any further details about Austin's medical procedure or his health.

The lack of transparency surrounding Austin's hospitalization has sparked outrage among media members covering the Defense Department. The Pentagon Press Association sent a letter of protest to Ryder and Assistant Defense Secretary for Public Affairs Chris Meagher, stating that the delayed public disclosure was unacceptable. The letter emphasized the importance of keeping the American public informed about the health and decision-making ability of top defense leaders, particularly during times of heightened national security concerns.

Comparisons have been made to other senior U.S. leaders who have been more transparent about their hospital stays. Attorney General Merrick Garland, for example, publicly announced his routine medical procedure a week in advance and provided information about his expected duration of absence and return to work.

Austin's hospitalization comes at a critical time, with the Biden administration dealing with Iranian-backed militias launching attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria, as well as providing support to Ukraine and communicating with Israel regarding their conflict with Hamas. The sensitive nature of these issues underscores the importance of open communication and transparency from top military leaders.

The White House has declined to reveal when or how they were notified of Austin's hospitalization, directing inquiries to the Pentagon. The public awaits further updates on Austin's condition and the timeline for his return to his official duties.