Surgery complications affect Pentagon chief

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has been hospitalized at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center since the beginning of the year due to complications following a recent elective medical procedure.

The Pentagon has chosen not to disclose the specific details of the procedure or the complications, citing privacy concerns and an evolving situation. However, Austin is said to be recovering well and is expected to resume his full duties soon.

In the meantime, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks has been handling routine business on his behalf.

This approach stands in contrast to how the Marine Corps openly communicated about their commandant’s heart attack in October. Austin, who became the first African American to lead the Pentagon, received a congressional waiver to assume the position due to his previous involvement with Raytheon Technologies and not meeting the required seven-year gap since active service.