US SECRETARY of Defense Lloyd Austin has been discharged from the hospital after being treated for complications from surgery for prostate cancer.
Austin, who was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, about seven miles northwest of Washington, DC, on December 22, will work remotely before returning to the Pentagon.
“I’m grateful for the excellent care I received at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and want to thank the outstanding doctors and nursing staff for their professionalism and superb support,” Austin said in a statement.
“I also am thankful and appreciative for all the well wishes received for a speedy recovery.
“Now, as I continue to recuperate and perform my duties from home. I’m eager to fully recover and return as quickly as possible to the Pentagon.”
Austin, 70, underwent surgery on December 22 after a routine screening uncovered the disease.
Prostate cancer, the most common cause of cancer among men, affects one in every eight men, according to the Mayo Clinic.
In what was described by doctors as a “minimally invasive surgical procedure,” Austin was discharged the following day.
However, he was rushed back to Walter Reed on January 1 after he began to experience severe abdominal pain.
Doctors at Walter Reed said the US secretary of defense was experiencing nausea with severe hip and leg pain.
The following day, Austin was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection and was admitted into intensive care.
Doctors said he remained in the hospital due to his ongoing leg pain resulting from the infection, and so he could get physical therapy.
President Joe Biden and senior officials were not informed of Austin’s condition until January 4, with his hospitalization coming to light on January 8.
The failure to notify sparked a firestorm on Capitol Hill, with some lawmakers calling Austin to step down.
New York Republican Representative Elise Stefanik slammed the Pentagon’s move to wait to notify administration officials as a “shocking and absolutely unacceptable” decision.
“This concerning lack of transparency exemplifies a shocking lack of judgment and a significant national security threat,” Stefanik said.
“There must be full accountability beginning with the immediate resignation of Secretary Austin and those that lied for him and a Congressional investigation into this dangerous dereliction of duty.”
When asked on Friday if Austin’s delay in notification was a lapse of judgment, President Biden responded: “Yes.”
Austin released a statement claiming full responsibility for the delayed disclosure.
Senator Joe Manchin supported Austin, saying the longtime secretary of defense made a mistake.
“You don’t change right now, you don’t throw a person out that has dedicated his entire life and done a good job of giving everything he has to it,” the West Virginia Democrat told CBS’ Face the Nation on Sunday.
“He said he’s made a mistake; he shouldn’t have done it.”