WASHINGTON – Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was recently under general anesthesia for “non-surgical procedures,” according to a statement released by Pentagon Monday.
The procedures were related to bladder problems after Austin was hospitalized and admitted to the critical care unit on Sunday.
“A long hospital stay is not expected,” two doctors at Walter Reed National Military Center said Monday. statement. “We expect that the Secretary will be able to perform his normal duties tomorrow. The current bladder problem is not expected to alter his anticipated full recovery. His cancer prognosis remains excellent.”
Austin was admitted to the intensive care unit last month for “complications following a last resort medical procedure.” Pentagon. It was later revealed that Austin had prostate cancer.
Secretary of Defense moved his duties to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks on Sunday. The White House and Congress were briefed on Austin’s situation on Sunday.
Austin was originally scheduled to travel to Brussels this week to attend meetings with NATO defense ministers and the Ukrainian Defense Liaison Group. The visit was canceled, but a meeting with the Ukrainian Defense Liaison Group on Wednesday will be held virtually, according to a defense official.
Austin has met before widespread criticism For the delay in disclosing his hospitalization to the White House in January. He later apologized for his handling of the matter.
“I want to be crystal clear” Austin said this month. “We didn’t manage that right. I didn’t manage that right either.”
After criticism, the Biden administration standardized notification rules so if the Cabinet Secretary fails to perform his duties, the White House will be warned.
A White House official told NBC News that Austin’s office provided regular updates to the White House and the National Security Council this week.
A separate official said Sunday’s notification of Austin’s hospitalization was done according to protocol.
Mosheh Wins, Aaron Gilchrist and Courtney Kube contributed.