In response to the recent hospitalization of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, the White House has announced that a review of the "process and procedure" surrounding the incident will be conducted, with possible changes to be implemented if necessary. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby addressed the matter while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One.

Kirby emphasized the importance of notifying the chain of command when a Cabinet official becomes hospitalized, stating that such notifications are expected. If the review identifies any shortcomings in the current procedures, the White House is prepared to take appropriate action.

Despite the need for a review, Kirby affirmed that President Joe Biden has full confidence in Austin and is eagerly anticipating his return to the Pentagon. The main focus at present is ensuring Austin's health and providing him with the necessary care to facilitate a full recovery, Kirby added.

The controversy surrounding Austin's hospitalization arose when it was revealed that neither the public nor senior national security officials were informed until three days after he was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Even Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, who had assumed Austin's duties, was reportedly unaware of his hospitalization.

Austin himself acknowledged in a statement that he could have done a better job informing the public about his health situation and pledged to improve in this regard. Kirby commended Austin for taking ownership of the situation, a gesture that Biden reportedly respects.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre echoed Kirby's sentiments, expressing complete confidence in Austin and expressing optimism about his return to the Pentagon. However, she declined to disclose the initial medical procedure that led to Austin's hospitalization.

Kirby described the upcoming review as a "hot wash," intended to identify any necessary modifications or changes to existing processes and procedures. He clarified that the White House and National Security Council were unaware of Austin's situation until Thursday afternoon, as the current process primarily focuses on tracking the whereabouts of principals but does not account for hospitalizations.

Members of Congress, particularly House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, have criticized Austin for his lack of transparency and called for his resignation. Stefanik labeled the lack of disclosure as a national security threat and demanded full accountability, including investigations into those who provided misleading information on Austin's behalf.

As the review gets underway, the White House is committed to learning from this experience and ensuring that similar incidents are handled with greater transparency and clarity in the future.