Doctors have reassured that his prognosis is excellent, as the cancer was caught early.

The 70-year-old Secretary faced criticism after it was discovered that senior defense officials and the White House were not informed about his hospital visit until three days later. As of now, Mr. Austin remains hospitalized, and there is no update on when he will be discharged, according to Pentagon spokespersons.

In December 2023, during a routine check-up, doctors at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center identified prostate cancer that required treatment. Subsequently, Mr. Austin underwent a "minimally invasive" surgical procedure to remove the cancer on December 22, 2023.

However, on January 1, 2024, the Defense Secretary experienced complications from the procedure and had to be readmitted to the hospital. It was during this evaluation that the urinary tract infection was discovered. Mr. Austin was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit for further treatment. Though recovering well, he remains under observation.

The controversy surrounding Mr. Austin arose from the delayed communication about his hospital stay. Even his deputy, Kathleen Hicks, was not informed about the situation despite being asked to assume some of his responsibilities. This lack of transparency concerning such a vital member of the president's Cabinet, who sits just below the president in the chain of command for the US military, has raised concerns.

In response to this incident, White House chief of staff Jeff Zients has directed all members of the president's Cabinet to provide notice if they are unable to perform their duties.

As the nation awaits updates on Secretary Austin's recovery and his eventual return to full duty, he remains in good spirits and in contact with his senior staff. With his access to secure communications capabilities, he continues to monitor the day-to-day operations of the Department of Defense worldwide.