Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin taken to hospital again, for potential 'emergent bladder issue'
ABC News
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was hospitalized on Sunday "for symptoms suggesting an emergent bladder issue," a Pentagon spokesman said in a statement.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was taken back to the hospital on Sunday afternoon, this time "for symptoms suggesting an emergent bladder issue," a Pentagon spokesman said in a statement.
"At this time, the Secretary is retaining the functions and duties of his office," Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, said. "The Deputy Secretary is prepared to assume the functions and duties of the Secretary of Defense, if required. Secretary Austin traveled to the hospital with the unclassified and classified communications systems necessary to perform his duties."
More information will be released "as soon as possible," Ryder said.
He said that the White House, Congress and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff had all been notified.
The defense secretary previously underwent a minimally invasive surgical procedure for prostate cancer Dec. 22, which led to a urinary tract infection and serious intestinal complications. He was hospitalized again on Jan. 1, but the White House didn't learn of it for three days -- secrecy that sparked intense scrutiny and criticism.
