THE House Committee on Armed Services has told Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that his unwillingness to provide candid and complete answers to questions asked about his secretive hospitalization necessitates a full committee hearing on Valentine’s Day, next month.
This was stated in a 4-page letter on Thursday, January 18th, signed by Republican Mike Rogers, chairman of the said committee.
“I expect your full honesty and cooperation in this matter. Anything short of that is completely unacceptable,” according to Republican Mike Rogers, Chairman of the House Committee on Armed Services.
Prior to his appearance on February 14th to testify publicly before Congress, Austin is required to submit not later than the 7th of February, information and answers to several questions including:
- All orders or instructions issued by the secretary of defense or a member of his staff to inform or not inform any other person about his hospitalization or medical condition;
- A detailed account of Austin’s actions and intent in transferring his duties to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks and the context conveyed to her about the reason for the transfer of duties;
- Was the request to the 911 emergency operator to keep Austin’s hospitalization “subtle” ordered by the defense secretary himself and for what reason?
- All written communications concerning the defense secretary’s whereabouts;
- And all department communications with the White House regarding the defense secretary’s health.
Congressman Mike Rogers stressed in the letter that this is a time of immense global instability and the United States National Security community should be able to rely upon the secretary of defense’s availability and transparency which Austin failed to exhibit.
To recall, the White House was without a secretary of defense for 3 days at a crucial time for the United States when strikes were being launched in the Middle East.
US lawmakers call for Lloyd Austin’s resignation
17th District of Pennsylvania Representative Chris Deluzio is the first democrat in Congress to call for the Pentagon chief to resign, along with a number of republicans.
Similarly, former President Donald Trump echoes the same sentiment.
Accuracy of White House not being informed questioned
Meanwhile, with the high level of security and communication involving a cabinet secretary, especially the secretary of defense, many are questioning the accuracy of the White House not being informed about Austin’s recent whereabouts and medical condition.
Reports say it is highly unlikely that the White House and the National Military Command Center would not know the location of the secretary of defense for multiple days across multiple shift changes.
It can be noted that Austin served for 41 years and retired as a 4-star general meaning the Pentagon chief is well aware of the protocols involving his job.
