Defense Sec. Austin apologized directly to Biden over hospitalization controversy: 'Did not handle this right'
Fox News
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he apologized to President Biden for not notifying him right away about his prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment and hospitalization.
"I want to make it very clear that there were no gaps in authorities and no risk to the department's command and control," he insisted, addressing concern about who was in control at the Department of Defense during a time of heightened tension in the Middle East. Austin returned to the Pentagon for the first time since his hospitalization on Monday – just a day after a drone strike by Iran-backed militants killed three U.S. service members and injured at least 40 others in Jordan at a post near the Syrian border. "At every moment, either I or the deputy secretary was in full charge," Austin said. "And we've already put in place some new procedures to make sure that any lapses in notification don't happen in the future if the deputy secretary needs to temporarily assume the duties of my office. She and several White House officers will be immediately notified, including the White House Situation Room, and so will key officials across the department. And the reason for that assumption of duties will be included in writing." Danielle Wallace is a reporter for Fox News Digital covering politics, crime, police and more. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on Twitter: @danimwallace.
Austin also said he apologized to Biden after the matter.